an existential

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an existential" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing philosophy, existence, or situations that pertain to existence or being. Example: "The novel explores an existential crisis faced by the protagonist as he questions the meaning of life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is an existential crisis.

The New York Times

Still, an existential unease prevailed.

The New Yorker

It's an existential fight.

The New Yorker

It's an existential predicament".

The Guardian - Arts

"And an existential one".

The New York Times

That may sound like an existential question.

The New York Times

Oil consumption also presented an existential problem.

The New Yorker

For us, it's an existential one".

The New York Times

Feeling depressed, incompetent, in an existential malaise?

The New York Times - Science

This was nonsense with an existential dimension.

Independent

I think it's an existential concern.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an existential" when discussing issues related to existence, purpose, or the fundamental nature of being. Ensure the context involves questions of meaning or survival.

Common error

Avoid using "an existential" to describe everyday inconveniences or minor problems. This diminishes the term's impact and can sound hyperbolic. Save it for discussions about core issues of existence or identity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an existential" primarily functions as an adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig AI examples show it qualifying terms like 'crisis', 'threat', 'question', and 'problem', indicating its role in specifying the nature of these nouns in relation to existence or being.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an existential" is a commonly used adjective phrase that signifies a deep connection to existence, purpose, or fundamental being. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in news and media, often to describe crises, threats, or questions that challenge our understanding of life. When using "an existential", it's important to ensure that the context warrants its gravitas, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Consider alternatives like "fundamental" or "crucial" for less intense scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental

Emphasizes the basic or foundational nature of something, similar to the core concern implied by "an existential".

a crucial

Highlights the importance and decisiveness of a situation, akin to the life-or-death implications of "an existential" crisis.

a basic

Focuses on the essential elements or conditions, mirroring the focus on core existence in "an existential" context.

a vital

Stresses the necessity and critical nature of something, comparable to the indispensable concerns of "an existential" matter.

a foundational

Similar to 'fundamental', stressing something that serves as a base for other aspects.

a core

Underscores the central or most important aspect, mirroring the focus on central existence in "an existential" context.

a life-or-death

Highlights a situation's extreme urgency and potential consequences.

a profound

Emphasizes the depth and significance, similar to the deep, philosophical nature of "an existential" question.

a deeply rooted

Emphasizes something that is ingrained at the deepest level.

a philosophical

Highlights the deep, reflective nature of a topic.

FAQs

How can I use "an existential" in a sentence?

You can use "an existential" to describe something related to existence, especially when discussing its meaning or purpose. For example, "Climate change poses "an existential threat" to coastal communities".

What's the difference between "an existential" crisis and a regular crisis?

"An existential crisis" involves questioning the meaning and purpose of one's existence, while a regular crisis might be a difficult or dangerous situation without necessarily prompting deep philosophical questions.

What can I say instead of "an existential"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a fundamental", "a crucial", or "a profound" concern.

Is it correct to say "an existential" problem or should it be "a existential" problem?

It's grammatically correct to say "an existential" problem. The article "an" is used because "existential" begins with a vowel sound.