period of existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "period of existence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the duration of time that something has been in existence or operation. Example: "The museum has been a significant cultural landmark for over a century, marking a remarkable period of existence in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Furthermore, the discovery of an enormous jaw in the Dhok Pathan deposits of the Siwālik Hills of India, from the earliest Pliocene, has provided a respectably long period of existence for this aberrant giant-toothed hominoid genus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In spite of a long period of existence of those BITs, Bangladesh and Pakistan host a very negligible portion of their annual FDI from Japan.

Journal of Economic Structures

Additionally, the low number of discussions with experts to inform policy implications and recommendations and the fact that interviewed experts are all current office bearers represents a limitation, as their expertise did not expand over the full period of existence of the Organization of African Unity and African Union.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Punctuational theories of evolution suggest that adaptive evolution proceeds mostly, or even entirely, in the distinct periods of existence of a particular species.

Biology Direct

In the brief period of its existence, The Ephemeralist has already gone a long way toward upsetting that view.

The New York Times - Arts

During the period of its existence, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was by area the world's largest country.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After a long period of seminomadic existence, the Ammonites established a kingdom north of Moab in the 13th century bc.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This particular gift of a book sat unopened for many months, gathering dust in storage during a peripatetic period of my existence.

The Guardian - Books

The central thesis of "Better Angels" is that our era is less violent, less cruel and more peaceful than any previous period of human existence.

The New York Times - Books

Mr. Pinker argues that our current era is less violent, less cruel and more peaceful than any previous period of human existence.

The New York Times

"I tried to get Newton's," said Mr. Appelbaum, meaning a strand of Isaac Newton's hair, to represent the period of human existence, "but it didn't work out".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the duration of something abstract, like a historical era or a scientific phenomenon, "period of existence" can add a sense of gravitas and importance.

Common error

Avoid using "period of existence" in casual conversation or informal writing; simpler phrases like "lifespan" or "duration" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "period of existence" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or adverbial modifier, specifying the duration or timeframe associated with a particular entity, event, or concept. Ludwig confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

25%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "period of existence" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that describes the length of time something has existed, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most often found in science, news media, and encyclopedic sources, making it suitable for formal and academic writing. While versatile, consider using simpler alternatives like "duration" or "lifespan" in informal contexts. Avoid overuse to maintain clarity and impact. Examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate how this phrase effectively conveys duration and temporal context across different subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

duration of being

Focuses on the state of 'being' rather than the act of existing over time.

time of being

Emphasizes a specific time frame rather than the overall span.

length of life

Specifically refers to living entities and their lifespan.

span of time

General term for a duration, applicable to many contexts beyond mere existence.

timeframe of actuality

More formal and abstract, referring to the time in which something is real.

years of operation

Specifically relates to how long an organization or system has been running.

time in effect

Highlights the time during which something is active or valid.

interval of being

Focuses on a specific interval within the broader concept of existence.

phase of existing

Refers to a specific phase within an entity's overall existence.

days of activity

Specifically refers to the period of time something is active.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "period of existence" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "duration of existence", or "timeframe of actuality" depending on the context.

What's a simpler way to say "period of existence"?

If you want a simpler phrasing, use "lifespan" (for living things), "duration", or "time frame".

Is "period of existence" appropriate for describing abstract concepts?

Yes, "period of existence" works well for abstract concepts like historical eras or scientific phenomena, as it emphasizes the time over which something has been present or active.

How does "period of existence" differ from "length of time"?

"Period of existence" often implies a more formal or significant duration, while "length of time" is a more general term for duration that doesn't necessarily suggest importance.