a good livelihood

USAGE SUMMARY

"a good livelihood" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to refer to having a successful living, often through financial gain. For example, "John worked hard to provide his family with a good livelihood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Trapping birds like this bee-eater on a lime stick in Cyprus, can be a good livelihood.

The New Yorker

"The picture of a lucky youngster who parlayed a hare-brained idea into a good livelihood belongs within the framework of the nineteen-thirties".

The New Yorker

When the son graduated high school, the father probably called him up, said, "John, this is a business that will give you a good livelihood for the rest of your life.

Forbes

Do you want our service?" The good news is that the world's labor market is ready to be disrupted by innovative new ways to satisfy the customers' needs and wants to earn a good livelihood.

TechCrunch

The Sierra Club is proud to tell these stories, and support this growing movement because we all have a right to a safe climate, a good livelihood, and a healthy future here at home, and around the globe.

Huffington Post

"China's Government pledges to accelerate development in the west and to provide favourable policies in rural areas, so that everyone in the east and west and in rural areas can enjoy a good livelihood".

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

At a time when there is a so-called good leadership of the Communist Party, good governance from the administration, good economic development and good livelihood for the people, it seems that an individual, a group of people or a nationality can demand rights from the government, regional authorities or even the Communist Party by submitting appeals and through legal channels.

The New York Times

You know, I had really come toTools with a mission of a right livelihood, really to do good in the world through my business activity, and I felt that I had done a lot of good in a lot of ways.

Huffington Post

Underlying themes are a secure livelihood and living without fear.

The Guardian

After the prefectural government, America is one of Okinawa's biggest employers, providing good livelihoods for some 8,000 local inhabitants.

The Economist

Among the natural resources available in the study area, Common Resources (CRs) and Common Property Resources (CPRs) such as forests, pasture land, river etc. have a good say for livelihood of the local community.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's career, use "a good livelihood" to emphasize that they earn enough money to live well and comfortably. This phrase is suitable for describing a stable and reliable source of income.

Common error

Avoid using "a good livelihood" to describe a job that is enjoyable but does not provide sufficient income for basic needs. The phrase implies financial stability and comfort, so ensure the context aligns with these aspects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good livelihood" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As Ludwig shows, it describes the means by which someone earns enough money to support themselves and their family.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a good livelihood" is a phrase used to describe a way of earning money that provides financial stability and comfort. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it's grammatically correct and usable in written English. While the phrase appears most frequently in news and media, it’s also appropriate for formal business and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context aligns with the idea of financial security, as opposed to simply enjoying a job that doesn't provide adequate income. Alternatives such as "a decent living" or "a sustainable income" can also be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a decent living

Focuses on earning enough to live comfortably; emphasizes adequacy.

a sustainable income

Highlights the ability to maintain income over time, focusing on long-term financial stability.

a secure income

Emphasizes safety and reliability of the income source.

a comfortable existence

Shifts focus from just earning to the overall quality of life provided by the income.

a means of subsistence

Highlights the basic necessities provided by the livelihood.

a way to make ends meet

Focuses on covering basic expenses.

a viable career

Emphasizes the long-term potential and stability of the job.

a profitable occupation

Highlights the financial gains from the work.

a remunerative job

Focuses on the compensation received for the work.

a financially rewarding profession

Highlights both the financial benefits and the professional status.

FAQs

How can I use "a good livelihood" in a sentence?

You can use "a good livelihood" to describe a job or business that provides sufficient income for a comfortable life. For example, "Farming provided our family with "a good livelihood" for generations."

What's the difference between "a good livelihood" and "a good living"?

"A good livelihood" focuses more on the source of income and its sustainability, while "a good living" emphasizes the lifestyle and comfort that the income provides. They are often interchangeable, but "a good livelihood" highlights the work itself.

What are some alternatives to saying "a good livelihood"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a decent living", "a sustainable income", or "a comfortable existence".

Is it appropriate to use "a good livelihood" in formal writing?

Yes, "a good livelihood" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing economic stability or career prospects. It is a clear and professional way to describe a reliable income source.