a bare existence

USAGE SUMMARY

"a bare existence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used anytime you want to describe someone or something living with the bare minimum necessities and no luxuries or comforts. Example: "After losing his job, he struggled to maintain a bare existence, living in a small apartment and surviving on plain meals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Away from the rosy second homes, the yachts and the gastropubs are the first homers of East Anglia still grinding out a bare existence in the far-flung, isolated, inward-looking communities of these rural counties.

The Guardian - Books

“You feel alone at times.” After graduation in 1969 Jagtiani was packed off to London for more schooling but soon dropped out and worked odd jobs to sustain a bare existence and a couple of vices—smoking four packs of cigarettes and downing a bottle of whiskey every day.

Forbes

The two last-named are still on the desolate sandy spit of Elephant Island, where under their shelter twenty-two of the crewmen eked out a bare existence for four and a half months.

Wikipedia

Asia Times Online said, There are over 300 million in India, out of a population of 1.2 billion, who... eke out a bare existence below poverty levels and lead a life of deprivation - for them one meal a day and basic shelter are a luxury.

Huffington Post

Gift has managed to eke out a bare existence, roaming the streets of the town with a band of unaccompanied children.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But the bare existence of an abstract injury meets only the first half of the standing requirement.

Cornell University

Making a living is not just self-serving, self-interest, as: enough can bring progress and there remains "hope, faith and charity," to spur you and your workers -- but being a failed business may be a stepping stone -- or breaking-even, really a "bare bones" existence, but keep hope alive!

WikiHow

In her portrait of this fossilized creature, Austen anticipates the apocalyptic metaphysical humor of Beckett, with his trash dwellers reduced to mean life and bare existence.

The New Yorker

But this awareness is limited to their bare existence and fails to reveal their underlying nature.

SEP

There are many kinds of hybridists: while they all think a turn to faith is necessary at some point, some seek to establish little more than the bare existence of God before turning to faith for greater details.

SEP

And with all those white faces was the single overwhelming, blanketing fact of deprivation, a bare-bones existence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a bare existence", ensure the context clearly indicates hardship or a lack of resources. It's effective for highlighting resilience or difficult living conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "a bare existence" to describe temporary inconveniences or voluntary frugality. Reserve it for situations genuinely marked by significant deprivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bare existence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. It describes a state of living characterized by minimal resources and basic necessities. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a bare existence" effectively describes a life lived with minimal resources, often under conditions of hardship. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase appears less frequently in general writing, its impact lies in its ability to highlight resilience and difficult circumstances. Related terms, such as "subsistence living" and "minimal existence", offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, as suggested by Ludwig. When employing "a bare existence", consider the context carefully to ensure it accurately reflects the intended level of deprivation and hardship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

minimal existence

Focuses on the reduced state of living, emphasizing the lack of excess.

subsistence living

Highlights living at a basic level to survive.

hand-to-mouth existence

Emphasizes the daily struggle to obtain necessities.

impoverished life

Directly indicates a life characterized by poverty and lack of resources.

austere lifestyle

Highlights a simple and strict way of living, often by choice or necessity.

basic survival

Focuses solely on the fundamental acts required to stay alive.

life of deprivation

Emphasizes the absence of basic comforts and necessities.

meager livelihood

Describes a way of earning a living that provides very little.

spartan existence

Highlights a lifestyle characterized by simplicity and lack of luxury.

threadbare living

Evokes the image of something worn and insufficient, applied to a way of life.

FAQs

How can I use "a bare existence" in a sentence?

You can use "a bare existence" to describe someone or something living with only the basic necessities and no luxuries. For example: "After the factory closed, many families were reduced to "a bare existence"."

What's a phrase similar to "a bare existence"?

Similar phrases include "subsistence living", "minimal existence", or "hand-to-mouth existence".

Is "a bare existence" a formal or informal expression?

"A bare existence" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but it carries a strong connotation of hardship.

What's the difference between "a bare existence" and "simple living"?

"A bare existence" implies a lack of resources and hardship, while "simple living" often suggests a voluntary choice to reduce material possessions. Simple living is by choice while "a bare existence" is often enforced by circumstances.