span of life

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "span of life" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the duration or length of a person's life or the life cycle of an organism. For example, "The average span of life has increased due to advancements in healthcare." Alternative expressions include "lifespan" and "duration of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Longevity is the span of life of an organism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Other infants at birth have defects that limit their span of life to a few years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But such observations cannot establish a fixed limit for the span of life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a blood-red sun sets over the horizon, Solntseva hints at a geological span of life that outlasts regimes.

The New Yorker

Maybe not the natural span of life -- medical science has already torn that -- but the web of human connections.

The New York Times - Magazine

It should be observed that this conclusion relates to the inheritance of longevity the observed expression of the span of life and not to the span of life itself.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

Wallpapered in poetry quotations as it is, this isn't a Greatest Hits of English Verse show: despite the span-of-life theme, we don't hear Shakespeare's "seven ages of man" monologue, and in fact Shakespeare makes only a cameo appearance.

The New York Times

That's better than a soon-to-be bankrupt system that values time-span of life, only.

The New York Times

Through small-scale action, Hong conjures long and troubled spans of life that offer only one way out of frustration the imaginative power of immediate experience.

The New Yorker

Through small-scale action, Hong conjures long and troubled spans of life that offer only one way out of frustration — the imaginative power of immediate experience.

The New Yorker

It feels like she has had a life somewhere in the span of her life.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the potential or maximum length of life, use "span of life" to emphasize the inherent biological limit, rather than the actual lived time.

Common error

Avoid using "span of life" when you actually mean "quality of life". The former refers to the duration, while the latter refers to the overall well-being and satisfaction during that duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "span of life" primarily functions as a noun phrase or nominal phrase, indicating the duration or length of existence. Ludwig examples show it referring to the potential duration of an organism's life, or a period within someone's lifetime.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

32%

News & Media

32%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "span of life" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote the duration or length of existence, applying to both organisms and entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently across encyclopedias, news media, and scientific sources, indicating its relevance in both formal and neutral registers. While synonymous with terms like "lifespan" and duration of life, it is crucial to differentiate its meaning from "quality of life", focusing instead on the temporal aspect. Remember to use "span of life" when you want to emphasize the inherent biological limit of an entity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lifespan

A more concise, single-word alternative.

duration of life

A more formal and descriptive alternative.

length of life

Focuses on the measured time of existence.

period of existence

Emphasizes the state of being alive over a certain time.

lifetime

A common synonym referring to the time someone is alive.

years of existence

Highlights the number of years lived.

time on earth

A more metaphorical expression of a life's duration.

life expectancy

Refers to the statistically expected length of life.

natural life

Implies the typical or expected duration without premature death.

biological existence

Focuses on the biological aspect of being alive for a period.

FAQs

How is "span of life" different from "life expectancy"?

"Span of life" refers to the potential or maximum length of time a species or individual can live, whereas "life expectancy" is the average number of years a person is expected to live, often based on statistical data.

What are some synonyms for "span of life"?

Alternatives to "span of life" include "lifespan", duration of life, and length of life. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "span of life" in scientific writing?

Yes, "span of life" is appropriate for scientific writing, particularly when discussing biological limits or potential longevity. Ensure it aligns with the specific scientific context.

Can "span of life" be used to describe non-human organisms?

Yes, "span of life" can apply to any living organism, referring to its potential or typical duration of existence. For example, "The span of life of a mayfly is very short."