To decide between using our life or our lives, you need to consider if you’re talking about a single thing or multiple things, as well as whether you’re referring to shared experiences or individual ones.
When you’re discussing a common experience with someone else, like a partner, you would use “our life”.
“Our lives” is used when you’re focusing on the different experiences of people in a group, like when talking about various careers or personal paths within a family.
Neither phrase is incorrect, but each has its own appropriate use based on the context.
Our Life or Our Lives: Difference and Usage
The basic difference between “our life” and “our lives” is that “our life” is used when referring to the shared experiences of a group as if they are one, while “our lives” is used to talk about individual experiences within a group.
If you and another person share common experiences or have a shared life together, you would use “our life.” For instance:
- Talking about a married couple: “Our life together has been full of adventures.”
In contrast, when speaking about individuals who have separate experiences, you’d say “our lives.” This acknowledges the unique lives each person in the group leads. As an example:Discussing friends who have grown apart: “Since moving to different cities, our lives have taken separate paths.”
Our life: Meaning and Usage
When you say “our life,” you’re referring to a single life experience that includes everyone involved. This is often used when talking about shared experiences or a journey you’re all on together.
The word “our” is a possessive adjective that describes the noun “life.” By pairing “our” with “life,” you’re suggesting that multiple people are living one shared experience.
For example, if a family is discussing their home life, they might say:
- “In our life at home, we regularly have family dinners and game nights.”
This suggests that everything they do at home is part of their collective life.
Our Lives: Meaning and Usage
The term “our lives” is best used when you’re talking about the separate or individual experiences of a group of people. In this context, you’re referring to each person and their unique experiences as if they each have their own distinct story.
From a grammatical standpoint, “our lives” is the right choice when you clearly mean to talk about more than one person or thing. This follows the basic grammar rule of making sure your subject and verb numbers match.
So, if you’re part of a group and want to talk about things like daily routines, challenges, or accomplishments that apply to each person individually, you’d say:
- “We went to the same school, but our lives took different paths after graduation.”
In this case, you’re emphasizing that even though there might be a shared starting point or connection, each person’s life follows its own unique path, separate from the others.
Examples of Using “Our life” in a Sentence
“Our life in this small town is quiet and peaceful.”
“Our life together as a couple is full of love and understanding.”
“In our life on the farm, we rise with the sun and sleep with the stars.”
“Traveling is a big part of our life as digital nomads.”
“Our life in college was marked by late-night study sessions and fun weekends.”
“Our life as parents is challenging but rewarding.”
Examples of Using “Our Lives” in a Sentence
“Even though we’re siblings, our lives couldn’t be more different.”
“Since we graduated, our lives have taken us to different corners of the world.”
“Retirement has brought new adventures into our lives.”
“Despite being classmates, our lives after school went in opposite directions.”
“Technology has made significant changes in our lives.”
“Our lives are filled with unique stories and experiences.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is grammatically correct, ‘our lives is’ or ‘our lives are’?
‘Our lives are’ is the grammatically correct form because ‘lives’ is a plural noun, which requires a plural verb ‘are’. ‘Is’ is singular and does not agree with the plural subject ‘lives’.
In expressions of gratitude, do we say ‘thank you for being part of our life’ or ‘part of our lives’?
It depends on the context. ‘Thank you for being part of our life’ implies a shared, singular experience. If you’re acknowledging individual relationships within a group, ‘part of our lives’ is appropriate.
When talking about shared experiences, do we use ‘living our best life’ or ‘living our best lives’?
For shared experiences, both ‘living our best life’ and ‘living our best lives’ can be appropriate. The first suggests a single, unified experience for the group. The second acknowledges the individual quality of experiences while still being part of a group. The context will dictate the most fitting phrase.
