through my lifetime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "through my lifetime" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to experiences, events, or changes that occur during the entirety of one's life. Example: "I have learned many valuable lessons through my lifetime that have shaped who I am today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

(Using resin-based products that are absorbed into the wood "locks up any moisture that's remaining in the wood," he said. "I would imagine that the logs will be stable through my lifetime").

The New York Times

Joanna Hogg, director and screenwriter If by "my generation" it would be people whose careers as film-makers occurred through my lifetime, that would encompass, I suppose, Ingmar Bergman, Satyajit Ray, Akira Kurosawa.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

" The things I've been through throughout my lifetime has made me mentally tough".

The New York Times - Sports

It's impossible to estimate how many keyboards I've gone through in my lifetime.

TechCrunch

For, as she said later in the same appearance: "Life for regular folks has gotten worse over the course of my lifetime, through Republican and Democratic administrations.

The New York Times

Over the past dozen months, I have watched the most important political race of my lifetime through the increasing roar of our news media.

Huffington Post

I hoped it was possible, and I thought about other intractable situations that had unexpectedly broken through in sudden paradigm shifts my lifetime -- the end of apartheid, and the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Huffington Post

This income is not a windfall benefit but something I have paid for over a lifetime through my national-insurance contributions.David Scott Loughborough, LeicestershireSIR – The figure you quoted of the average private-pension income per household of £65,000 ($102,000) for the top fifth of earners is clearly a mean, and therefore heavily distorted by the income of the top 1%.

The Economist

My sense of humor, which sailed me through a lifetime of making folks laugh so hard they cried, now brings questions like, "Who is Karen Carpenter?" For that matter, most of you are probably wondering, who is Robin Byrd?

Huffington Post

Like a lot of books that we fall for as children, it captured my heart early and has retained its favored status through a lifetime of reading.

The New York Times - Books

"I can't imagine having to think about winning elections through a lifetime, to be able to put food on the table and provide for my family".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "through my lifetime" to refer to experiences, events, or changes that have occurred from your birth to the present. It's suitable for reflecting on personal growth, historical events, or evolving perspectives.

Common error

The phrase "through my lifetime" refers to the past and present. Don't use it to describe things you expect to happen in the future; instead, use phrases like "in the coming years" or "during my remaining years".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "through my lifetime" functions as an adverbial phrase of time, modifying a verb to specify when an action or state occurred. It indicates the duration from the speaker's birth to the present moment, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples of personal reflection and historical observation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "through my lifetime" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to refer to experiences or events occurring from one's birth to the present. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and demonstrates its usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. When writing, it's important to remember that "through my lifetime" is best used for reflecting on past or present experiences and not for predicting future ones. Alternatives like "during my life" or "over the course of my life" can offer slight variations in tone or emphasis. This makes "through my lifetime" a versatile phrase for personal reflection and historical commentary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

during my life

Replaces "lifetime" with "life", focusing on the span of existence rather than the concept of a full life.

in my lifetime

Emphasizes the inclusion of an event within the speaker's period of existence.

over my life

Similar to "during my life", but can sometimes imply a broader scope or impact.

throughout my years

Focuses on the progression of time and personal development.

in the course of my life

A more formal way of saying "during my life", adding a sense of deliberate observation.

in all my born days

An informal and emphatic way of saying "never before in my life".

as long as I can remember

Refers to the period from one's earliest memories to the present.

since I was born

Highlights the entire period from birth onwards.

during my existence

A more philosophical or existential way to refer to the period of one's life.

throughout my personal history

Focuses on the sequence of events of the speaker's life

FAQs

How can I use "through my lifetime" in a sentence?

You can use "through my lifetime" to describe experiences, changes, or events that have occurred from your birth to the present. For example, "I have witnessed significant technological advancements "through my lifetime"".

What's a more formal alternative to "through my lifetime"?

A more formal alternative is "over the course of my life". Both phrases describe experiences spanning from birth to the present, but "over the course of my life" sounds more academic or professional.

Is "during my lifetime" the same as "through my lifetime"?

"During my lifetime" and ""through my lifetime"" are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "through" can sometimes imply a more continuous or evolving process, while "during" simply marks a period.

Can "through my lifetime" be used to predict future events?

No, ""through my lifetime"" is used to reflect on past experiences, not to predict future events. To discuss future events, consider using phrases like "in the years to come".