within their lifetime

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "within their lifetime" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It typically refers to something happening or being accomplished during a person's lifetime. Example sentence: "I never thought I would see humans land on Mars within my lifetime, but with advancements in technology, it may become a reality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"And it's something I want to do within their lifetime".

The New York Times

And yet only 44percentt said they had actually achieved the American dream, although 31percentt said they expect to attain it within their lifetime.

The New York Times

By the time it played against a human being it had played more games of Go than any human possibly could within their lifetime.

The Guardian

And in a culture where giving away an inheritance is rare, they are planning to donate their entire collection to a museum — they have yet to decide which one — within their lifetime.

The New York Times - Arts

On average, intimate partner violence affects nearly one in three women worldwide within their lifetime.

The Lancet Global Health

Hence, It is required that the DSRC safety-related V2V communication must provide a service delivering messages within their lifetime with high reliability under high-speed vehicular environment.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Fewer still attain that status within their lifetimes.

The Guardian - Books

He learned the old ways from his parents, then watched those traditions vanish within their lifetimes.

The New York Times

Children at Soul Survivor meetings have, for instance, been told that their generation can help bring Jesus back to Earth within their lifetimes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Still, the persistent presence of heavy metals and PCB's in the harbor will probably preclude the school's students from eating city-bred oysters within their lifetimes.

The New York Times - Food

A further 20% thought they would end up there within their lifetimes.Seen from an international perspective, America certainly looks an unequal country, but in a way that many of those optimistic Americans might be proud of (see chart).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "within their lifetime" when you want to emphasize that something is achievable or observable during the current generation's existence, adding a sense of immediacy or relevance.

Common error

Avoid using "within their lifetime" when referring to events that span multiple generations or have a long-term impact far beyond a single person's life. It's best suited for changes or accomplishments that individuals can witness directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "within their lifetime" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timeframe in which an action or event will occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common expression used to specify that something happens during the course of someone's life.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

47%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "within their lifetime" is a versatile and commonly used expression, as validated by Ludwig AI, serving to specify that an event is likely to occur during the course of someone's life. Primarily functioning as an adverbial phrase, it adds a sense of immediacy and relevance to the context, making it suitable for news, scientific discussions, and general communication. While alternatives like "during their existence" or "in their time" exist, "within their lifetime" offers a unique emphasis on the personal and observable nature of the event. When using it, consider the timeframe and the intended scope to ensure it accurately reflects the possibility of individuals experiencing or witnessing the specified outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while they are alive

Simple and direct restatement.

while they live

A concise and straightforward alternative.

within their lifespan

Uses a more scientific term for the duration of life.

during their existence

Emphasizes the entire span of their being.

in their living years

Highlights the active, experiencing phase of life.

in their time

A more general reference to the period they are alive.

during their period of life

A slightly more formal and clinical phrasing.

in their days

Evokes a sense of a specific era or time period.

during their stay on Earth

Adds a philosophical or transient perspective.

in their generation

Focuses on a broader cohort rather than individual life.

FAQs

How can I use "within their lifetime" in a sentence?

You can use "within their lifetime" to suggest that an event is likely to occur or be witnessed during the span of someone's life. For instance, "Scientists predict that a cure for some cancers may be discovered "within their lifetime"".

What are some alternatives to saying "within their lifetime"?

Alternatives include "during their existence", "in their living years", or "while they are alive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in their lifetime" instead of "within their lifetime"?

Both "in their lifetime" and "within their lifetime" are grammatically correct and can often be used interchangeably, though "within" may suggest a more specific timeframe or potential for witnessing something.

What's the difference between "during their lifetime" and "within their lifetime"?

"During their lifetime" refers to the entire period of someone's life, while "within their lifetime" emphasizes that an event will occur at some point inside that period, often implying it's something they might see or experience. The nuance depends on the specific context.