To live

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To live" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the act of existing or experiencing life, often in a philosophical or motivational context. Example: "To live is to embrace every moment and find joy in the little things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To live forever.

European Journal of Futures Research

Impossible to live poor?

The New York Times

Words to live by.

The New York Times - Arts

"People want to live".

The New York Times - Health

You want to live".

The New Yorker

We're here to live.

The New Yorker

"I wanted to live".

The New York Times

How best to live?

Independent

They need to live".

The New York Times

"We want to live.

The New York Times

She works to live.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "To live" to introduce a general principle about life or a philosophical observation. For instance, "To live is to embrace challenges and learn from failures."

Common error

Avoid using "To live" in contexts where it sounds excessively dramatic or sentimental. Opt for more direct and concrete language when describing everyday experiences. For example, instead of "To live is to drink coffee", say "I drink coffee every morning."

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "To live" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or complement of a verb. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in expressing general truths or philosophical concepts about existence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and widely recognized.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

13%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "To live" is a versatile infinitive phrase that serves as a noun, commonly used to convey philosophical ideas, express general truths about existence, or motivate action. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and widely recognized, primarily appearing in news, media, science and Wiki. It's important to avoid overuse in overly-sentimental contexts. The related phrases offer similar concepts, each with a unique nuance that can be used to enrich language and make the expression more precise. Thus, mastering the use of "To live" involves understanding its various forms and applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To be alive

Emphasizes the state of being living, often used to express a sense of vitality or awareness.

To exist

Focuses solely on the state of being, without implying any specific manner or quality of life.

To experience life

Focuses on the active process of engaging with and participating in life.

To have life

Stresses the possession of life itself, often in contrast to being dead or inanimate.

To survive

Highlights the act of continuing to live, especially in difficult or threatening circumstances.

To lead a life

Focuses on the manner or quality of life being lived.

To reside

Specifically refers to the act of living in a particular place.

To subsist

Emphasizes the means by which life is sustained, often implying a minimal or basic level of existence.

To draw breath

A more poetic or figurative way of expressing the act of living.

To spend your days

Highlights the act of using or filling one's time while alive, often focusing on activities or experiences.

FAQs

How can I use "To live" in a sentence?

"To live" can be used to express a general truth or purpose, such as "To live is to learn" or "To live is to grow".

What are some alternatives to using "To live"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to exist", "to survive", or "to experience life".

When is it appropriate to use "To live"?

It's appropriate when you want to make a general statement about the nature or purpose of life, or when expressing a philosophical idea or personal belief about living. For example, "To live fully, one must embrace change."

What's the difference between "To live" and "living"?

"To live" is the infinitive form, often used in general statements. "Living" is the present participle, typically used to describe an ongoing process or state. For example, "To live is to dream", versus "I am living my dream".