whose life is to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "whose life is to" is not correct and does not convey a complete thought in written English.
It may be used in contexts where you are trying to describe someone's life purpose or direction, but it requires additional information to be meaningful. Example: "She is a person whose life is to inspire others through her art."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The Doctor's Dilemma (1903) So whose life is to be saved?

The Guardian

I do prefer movies that cast people whose life is to capture a character, rather than whose life is just to be a rapper.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"I don't know a single older person whose life is limited to the hours of Monday to Friday from 8too 3, (when rides are typically available)" she said.

Huffington Post

The story then shifts to his son, AJ, whose life is dedicated to gaining the power in Hollywood that his father lost.

The New York Times - Books

In Kiev, we find Katia Zvesdny, a doctor whose family has been torn apart by the mass deportations to the gulag and whose life is about to be further devastated by the massacre of Baby Yar.

The Guardian - Books

The Street of Forgotten Men also tells the story of Mary Vanhern, played by winsome Mary Brian, whose life is linked to these con artists as well as to a young millionaire, played by handsome Neil Hamilton.

Huffington Post

deals precisely with the question of whether the sage, whose life is meant to emulate that of the blessed gods, is subject to anger.

SEP

Sami Awad, who is a Palestinian Christian and one of those whose life is dedicated to nonviolence, told me: "Nonviolence is not a solution to the conflict, it is the only solution".

Huffington Post

Recently I spoke to Brian Schmidt, a researcher at NYU's Capstone facility whose life is dedicated to oral cancer.

Vice

It is a trade well chosen for a ruminating hero whose life is about to be tested: honest, comradely yet solitary, good for thinking and talking to oneself.On the first page a small boy arrives at the Dymond home bearing a note for Dymond senior.

The Economist

He is an honest and hard-working businessman whose life is dedicated to music.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's life direction, be specific and provide context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "whose life is to" when you can directly state the person's purpose or dedication. For instance, instead of "a person whose life is to help others", write "a person dedicated to helping others".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "whose life is to" functions as a relative clause aiming to define or describe a noun (typically a person) by indicating the intended direction or purpose of their life. However, as Ludwig AI notes, this phrasing is often awkward and less effective than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "whose life is to" is grammatically questionable and infrequently used. Ludwig AI indicates that more direct and clearer alternatives like "whose life is dedicated to" or "whose purpose is to" are generally preferred. While it appears in a mix of News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias sources, its overall rarity suggests careful consideration and potential revision when encountered. Utilizing best practices such as specifying the life's purpose directly and avoiding overly literal phrasing will improve clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

whose life is dedicated to

Focuses on commitment and devotion to a specific cause or activity.

whose life is devoted to

Similar to 'dedicated to' but implies a more profound and all-encompassing commitment.

whose purpose is to

Highlights the primary aim or intention behind someone's existence or actions.

whose aim is to

Similar to 'purpose is to', but slightly less formal.

whose goal is to

Emphasizes a specific objective that someone is trying to achieve in their life.

whose mission is to

Implies a strong sense of duty or calling that guides someone's life.

whose ambition is to

Focuses on someone's strong desire and determination to achieve something significant.

whose intention is to

Highlights the underlying plan or motivation behind someone's actions.

whose calling is to

Suggests a vocation or strong inner urge that directs someone's life path.

whose destiny is to

Implies that someone's life path is predetermined and inevitable.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "whose life is to" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives such as "whose life is dedicated to", "whose purpose is to", or "whose aim is to". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "whose life is to" grammatically correct?

While technically understandable, "whose life is to" is not the most grammatically sound or common phrasing. Options like "whose life is dedicated to" are generally preferred.

What's the difference between "whose life is to" and "whose life is dedicated to"?

"Whose life is dedicated to" is clearer and more emphatic, suggesting a strong commitment. "Whose life is to" can sound incomplete or awkward and is less frequently used.

Are there contexts where "whose life is to" is acceptable?

While rare, "whose life is to" might be acceptable in very specific, poetic, or philosophical contexts where a more literal interpretation is intended. However, in most cases, alternatives will provide better clarity.