thousand lifetimes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thousand lifetimes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a vast amount of time or experience, often in a poetic or metaphorical context. Example: "I would wait for you a thousand lifetimes if it meant we could be together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Huffington Post

The Guardian

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

All the talk today about the 2016 election — a veritable thousand lifetimes away in politics — is a little crazy.

The New York Times

If it doesn't, you'll run out of money in either a week or two (me) or several thousand lifetimes from now (you).

The Guardian - Film

But a step away from the tourist areas is a Turkey of such original beauty that you'd need a thousand lifetimes to spend here, and there'd still be more to discover.

The Guardian - Travel

Urged to apologise by tweeters including a former vice-president of the World Bank, he was soon insisting, "I would never in a thousand lifetimes encourage rape … The intention however was to highlight an unfortunate trend".

The Guardian

As we joke, he's lived a thousand lifetimes.

Huffington Post

So more my surprise when one day out of the blue, she blurts out the mother of all ideas, the crème de la crème, the most stupendous conviction of significant abstraction uttered in a thousand lifetimes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"He lived two lifetimes in 37 years".

The New York Times

That can take a lifetime, or five lifetimes.

The New Yorker

"I've had people go through three, four, five lifetimes".

The New Yorker

The N.D.A. still stands, for like three lifetimes.

The New Yorker

He has achieved more than most achieve in three lifetimes.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ the phrase to emphasize the significance or impact of something that feels like it has spanned an immense period.

Common error

Avoid using "thousand lifetimes" in contexts where a more precise or realistic measurement of time is appropriate; its strength lies in its figurative and hyperbolic application.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thousand lifetimes" functions as a hyperbolic expression to denote an extremely long or seemingly infinite duration. As Ludwig AI confirms, this expression is appropriate for conveying a sense of vastness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Huffington Post

29%

The Guardian

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "thousand lifetimes" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that serves as a hyperbolic expression for immense duration or vast experience. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for certain contexts. While primarily found in news and media or creative writing, its use in formal or academic settings is less common. To enhance your writing, consider using the phrase to emphasize the significance or impact of something, but avoid overuse in literal contexts. Alternatives such as "countless incarnations" or "an eternity" may suit different nuances. Remember to use it judiciously to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

innumerable existences

Emphasizes the countless nature of the lives or experiences.

countless incarnations

Highlights the repeated cycle of birth and existence.

infinite spans of time

Focuses on the endless duration rather than specific lives.

an eternity

A more general term for an infinitely long period.

immeasurable eons

Highlights the unfathomable length of time.

unending ages

Stresses the continuous and limitless passage of time.

perpetual existence

Emphasizes continuous being without end.

limitless continuum

Focuses on the unbroken sequence of time.

age upon age

Repeated emphasis on long periods of time.

aeons upon aeons

Similar to age upon age but suggesting even greater duration.

FAQs

How can I use "thousand lifetimes" in a sentence?

You can use "thousand lifetimes" to express an exceptionally long period or a wealth of experience. For example, "I would wait a "thousand lifetimes" for you" or "He seemed to have lived a "thousand lifetimes" in those few years".

What are some alternatives to "thousand lifetimes"?

Alternatives include phrases like "innumerable existences", "countless incarnations", or "an eternity", which also convey a sense of immense duration.

Is it appropriate to use "thousand lifetimes" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "thousand lifetimes" is often more suited for creative or informal contexts due to its hyperbolic nature. Consider more precise language for formal or academic writing.

What does "thousand lifetimes" imply about the subject it describes?

It suggests that the subject has either endured a very long period, accumulated a great deal of experience, or has a significance that transcends ordinary time.