Their life or Their lives: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: Both forms are correct depending on context. Use their life when referring to a single existence shared by multiple people. Use their lives when discussing the separate existences of each individual in the group.
The Short Answer
Both their life and their lives are grammatically correct, but they serve different specific purposes in English writing.
Writers often confuse them because they forget that life is a singular noun while lives is its plural counterpart. The choice depends entirely on whether the subject shares one collective experience or possesses distinct individual ones.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| their life | Correct | Referring to a single, shared fate or existence among a group. |
| their lives | Correct | Discussing the separate, individual experiences of each person in a group. |
| life | Noun | Acts as a singular mass or count noun depending on the context. |
| lives | Noun | Acts as the standard plural form of the count noun life. |
Correct Example Sentences
- The couple decided to merge their financial assets into a single life plan.
- Each volunteer dedicated their life to protecting the endangered species in the reserve.
- The siblings often argued about who contributed more to their shared life at home.
- Students must balance their lives carefully between studying for exams and social activities.
- The storm disrupted their lives, forcing everyone to relocate to safer areas immediately.
- The twins lived such a connected life that they rarely made decisions alone.
- Firefighters risked their lives daily to keep the community safe from burning buildings.
- The author described their life as a constant journey through different cultures and cities.
- Traveling abroad transformed their lives, giving them a broader perspective on global issues.
- The prisoners were allowed one hour of their life outside the cell each week.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- The teachers changed their life by adopting new methods.
- The teachers changed their lives by adopting new methods.
- We should respect the life of every citizen.
- We should respect the lives of every citizen.
- The couple built their lives on mutual trust.
- The couple built their life on mutual trust.
- The refugees risked their life crossing the border.
- The refugees risked their lives crossing the border.
- They shared a life full of adventure.
- They shared a life full of adventure.
- The policy improved the life of all residents.
- The policy improved the lives of all residents.
A Quick Test You Can Use
Ask yourself if the people involved share one single fate or possess separate individual experiences. If they walk one path together, choose the singular form. If each person walks a distinct path, choose the plural form to reflect their separate realities.
Related Word Pairs
- its vs it's
- Use its for possession and it's as a contraction for it is.
- lose vs loose
- Lose means to misplace; loose means not tight or confined.
- affect vs effect
- Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence; effect is a noun meaning result.
- then vs than
- Then refers to time or sequence; than is used for comparisons.
- accept vs except
- Accept means to receive; except means to exclude or leave out.
More Example Sentences
- The refugees risked their lives to escape the conflict zone.
- Her entire life changed after she moved to the coast.
- The students managed their lives around tight exam schedules.
- He dedicated his life to restoring classic cars.
- The neighbors altered their daily routines to reduce noise.
- A sudden storm interrupted the life of the small village.
- The athletes balanced their training with personal relationships.
- She viewed her life as a series of learning opportunities.
- The company improved the lives of employees through better benefits.
- Each citizen has the right to a safe and peaceful life.
Quick Practice
The firefighters risked their to save the family.
lives
He spent his writing poetry about nature.
life
The new policy improved the of many workers.
lives
She felt that her was finally on the right track.
life
The storm disrupted the of everyone in the town.
lives
The butterfly completes its cycle in weeks.
life
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use their life for a group of people?
Yes, you can use it when the group shares a single, collective existence or fate. This implies unity rather than individual separation in the context of the sentence.
Is their lives always plural?
Yes, lives is the plural noun form. You must use it when referring to the separate, distinct existences of multiple individuals within a specific group of people.
What if the subject is singular but uses they?
Even with singular they, if the person has one existence, use life. The grammar follows the concept of a single life, regardless of the pronoun number used in the sentence.
Does capitalization change the meaning?
No, capitalization does not alter the grammatical rule. Whether you write Life or life, you still must choose the singular or plural form based on the context provided.
