a living through

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a living through" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing experiences or processes of enduring something, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "This year has been a living through of challenges that have tested our resilience."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Only about three families here earn a living through ecotourism; the rest live largely through subsistence farming.

The New York Times

We all make a living through reading.

The New York Times

But he was unable to earn a living through art, and his family responsibilities weighed heavily.

The New Yorker

But they also make the month unusually lucrative for those who earn a living through music.

The New York Times

In many women's sports it is almost impossible to make a living through athletic competition alone.

The New York Times

She made a living through sewing, trying to fend for her kids".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I continue doing it because I need to make a living through the TV programmes.

The Guardian - Music

Just as fierce was the attack on women making a living through sex work.

The Guardian - Opinion

'I earn a living through agricultural production: I grow maize, coffee, bananas, beans, and vegetables.

The Guardian

Two or three lifetimes ago most people made a living through farming.

The Guardian - Tech

Davis makes a living — through appearances, books and sponsorships — going up some of the hairiest rock formations in the world.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer the use of "by" instead of "through" to connect an action/method to getting a living: for example, consider rewriting sentences with "a living by"

Common error

Avoid using "a living through" in formal writing, as it can sound unnatural and may confuse readers. Opt for clearer and more direct expressions to ensure your message is easily understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a living through" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the means by which someone supports themselves financially. Despite its frequent occurrence, Ludwig AI suggests that its grammatical correctness might be questionable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a living through" is frequently used across various sources, Ludwig AI indicates that it's not considered standard written English and might sound awkward. It functions to describe how someone supports themselves, and it appears most often in news and media contexts. For clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using alternatives like "earning a living by" or "making a living from". Despite its common usage, prioritizing clarity and grammatical precision will enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earning a livelihood via

Replaces "living" with "livelihood" and uses "via" instead of "through" for a more formal tone.

making ends meet by

Focuses on the act of covering basic expenses, using "by" instead of "through".

sustaining oneself by means of

Emphasizes self-sufficiency using more formal language and "by means of".

deriving income from

Highlights the source of income in a professional or academic context.

supporting oneself using

Focuses on the act of supporting oneself, replacing "through" with "using".

making a wage by

Highlights the act of making money by providing some service or product.

eeking out an existence via

Implies a struggle to survive, using a more dramatic tone than the original phrase.

getting by on

Implies surviving with limited resources, focusing on simplicity and resilience.

living off of

A simpler, more direct way to express reliance on a particular source of income.

being employed as a

Highlights the specific job or profession used to generate income.

FAQs

What are some common ways to describe how someone earns money?

Common phrases include "making a living", "earning a livelihood", or "supporting oneself". For example, one might say, "He makes a living as a teacher" or "She earns a livelihood through her art".

Is "a living through" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "a living through" is not the most grammatically sound phrase. Consider alternatives like "making a living by" or "earning a living from". Ludwig indicates that this may not be standard written English.

How can I use "making a living" in a sentence?

You can say "She is making a living "as a freelancer"", "He makes a living "by selling his art"", or "They are making a living "through their online business"".

What's a more formal way to say "make a living"?

More formal alternatives include "earn a livelihood", "sustain oneself", or "derive income". For example, "She earns a livelihood "from her research"" or "He sustains himself "by working as a consultant"".