over their lifetime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "over their lifetime" is correct and can be used in written English. It is typically used to indicate a period of time that spans a person's entire life. It is often used in discussions or descriptions of long-term or cumulative events or experiences. Example: "Over their lifetime, the average person will spend approximately eight years sleeping."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most people build up wealth over their lifetime.

The Economist

Bioplastics do produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional plastics over their lifetime.

Columbia University

The couple was an enthusiastic and dedicated patron of the theatre and ballet over their lifetime.

The New York Times

Over their lifetime, supported plants would spew 18bn tonnes into the atmosphere.

The Guardian

C.F.L.'s are extremely efficient, and cheaper to operate over their lifetime.

The New York Times

Workers are often exposed to hundreds of chemicals over their lifetime.

The New York Times

Projects funded through Salix to date will save over 4m tonnes of CO2 over their lifetime.

The Guardian

The survey found that callers lost an average of $115,000 over their lifetime.

The New York Times

That means they're going to be in 10, 15, 20 companies over their lifetime.

Harvard Business Review

The numbers show that the Marys are more profitable for us over their lifetime as customers.

Harvard Business Review

In Germany women now had just 1.4 babies on average over their lifetime.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing cumulative effects or long-term trends, use "over their lifetime" to clearly indicate the entire duration of a person's or object's existence or operational period.

Common error

Avoid using "over their lifetime" when referring to shorter periods or specific phases within a life or operational cycle. Ensure the context aligns with the entire duration being considered.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "over their lifetime" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify the duration or timeframe in which an action, event, or condition occurs or accumulates. Ludwig confirms its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "over their lifetime" is a common and versatile adverbial phrase used to specify a duration spanning the entirety of someone's or something's existence or functional period. As noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and found across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. When using "over their lifetime", ensure the context aligns with the extended duration being referenced, avoiding its use for shorter or specific phases. Alternatives such as "during their existence" or "throughout their lifespan" may be suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during their existence

Replaces "lifetime" with a more general term for existence, emphasizing the period they are alive or functional.

throughout their life span

Substitutes "lifetime" with "life span", highlighting the duration from birth to death.

in the course of their lives

Uses a more descriptive phrasing, emphasizing the progression of events throughout their lives.

for the duration of their life

Emphasizes the entire length of their life, suggesting a continuous impact or effect.

during their period of existence

Adds "period of" to existence, making it more formal and emphasizing a defined duration.

across their entire life

Highlights the comprehensive nature of the period, spanning the whole of their existence.

while they are alive

Focuses specifically on the time when they are living, removing any implication of functionality beyond life.

through all their years

Highlights the progression of years, making it suitable for expressing gradual changes or accumulation.

during their working life

Specifies that the duration is related to their professional career, narrowing the scope.

over their period of activity

Suitable for non-living things or processes. It changes the focus to the active or functional phase.

FAQs

How can I use "over their lifetime" in a sentence?

Use "over their lifetime" to describe something that occurs or accumulates throughout the entire duration of a person's life, such as "The average person will spend a significant portion of their income on housing "over their lifetime"".

What are some alternatives to "over their lifetime"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "during their existence", "throughout their lifespan", or "in the course of their lives" as alternatives to "over their lifetime".

Is "during their lifetime" the same as "over their lifetime"?

"During their lifetime" typically refers to events that occur at some point within their life, while "over their lifetime" implies a continuous or cumulative process throughout the entire duration. Although similar, the emphasis on duration sets "over their lifetime" apart.

When is it inappropriate to use "over their lifetime"?

Avoid using "over their lifetime" when discussing events or periods that only cover a specific phase or limited portion of someone's life. Phrases like "during their childhood" or "in their youth" would be more appropriate in those instances.