at its existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at its existence" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in contexts discussing the state or condition of something being present or in existence, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The debate about the significance of the artifact began at its existence in the archaeological record."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

I never would have guessed at its existence if I hadn't heard it for myself Luckily, we had a playlist all cued up, thanks to Piper LeMoine, a music journalist with Rancho Alegre Radio in Austin, Texas, which is dedicated to promoting and preserving conjunto and tejano music.

The Guardian - Travel

A map from the 1960s had hinted at its existence, and local families with goldmining ancestors had heard rumours about it.

The Guardian - Travel

In fact, a hotel spokesman professed disbelief at its existence: "I don't know whether or not somebody is keeping their own, like a personal thing, but there definitely isn't one behind the front desk".

The New Yorker

The inhabitants of Bismarck are certainly among the nicest people in the world, but that doesn't stop many of them from engaging with strangers as one would with an extraterrestrial - politely, but plainly astonished at its existence.

The Guardian

In a news conference, the Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said residents in the southern area of the city had stormed the prison in protest at its existence in their district.

BBC

Today, after a live recording earlier this year hinted at its existence, the duo team up again on a remix of a track by Hundred Waters, a Florida-born digifolk act signed to Skrillex's OWSLA.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And more remarkable still: from our own tiny bulwark against the invisible, we have looked into what we cannot look at — inferred its existence, and, to a stunning extent, figured out how it works.

The New Yorker

The beauty, and the forcefulness, of using space as the exemplar of spirit is that (for More at least) its existence cannot be denied.

SEP

The wave emanates from the infinite ocean, and at the end of its existence, it returns to the ocean.

Huffington Post

You either love it, or you marvel at its very existence.

Independent

The car is not just an environmental hair shirt (a charge leveled at the Prius early in its existence), it is an act of political self-denial as well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more common and direct alternatives like "during its existence" or "when it was created" for clearer communication.

Common error

Avoid using "at its existence" in informal contexts. This phrase often sounds stilted or overly formal, making your writing less accessible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at its existence" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb by indicating a time or condition related to the subject's being. It specifies when something occurs in relation to the subject's presence or being.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "at its existence" is a grammatically acceptable prepositional phrase used to denote a specific time or condition during something's lifespan. However, Ludwig AI notes it's not a standard expression, and it's less common than alternatives like "during its existence" or "when it was created". While correct, its use might come across as overly formal in informal contexts. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media and scientific sources. For clearer and more accessible writing, it's often advisable to consider alternative phrasings. If you need more ideas, you can consider "upon its creation" and "during its lifetime" as possible alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon its creation

Focuses on the moment something is brought into being.

at the time of its creation

Specifies a particular point in time when something was created.

during its lifetime

Refers to the entire period of something's existence.

throughout its existence

Similar to "during its lifetime" but emphasizes continuity.

when it came into being

Highlights the initial moment of existence.

from its inception

Emphasizes the starting point or beginning.

at the start of its life

Focuses on the beginning phase of existence.

in its initial phase

Refers to the early stages of existence.

when it existed

A simpler way of referring to a past state of being.

during its being

Emphasizes the state of existence itself.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "at its existence" in a sentence?

While not the most common phrasing, you can use "at its existence" to refer to a particular point or stage in the life or being of something. However, consider alternatives like "during its existence" or "when it was created" for clarity.

What are some alternatives to "at its existence"?

You can use alternatives such as "upon its creation", "during its lifetime", or "throughout its existence" depending on the intended meaning.

Is "at its existence" grammatically correct?

Yes, "at its existence" is grammatically correct, but it may sound awkward or less natural than other options. Ludwig AI suggests that it is not a standard expression.

When should I avoid using "at its existence"?

It's best to avoid using "at its existence" in informal writing or conversation. Opt for simpler and more common phrases like "when it was created" or "during its existence".