cannot live on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot live on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that someone is unable to sustain themselves or continue existing based on a particular condition or resource. Example: "Without proper nutrition, we cannot live on just water alone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The success that Prime Minister Papandreou just had in local elections shows that Europe's peoples have completely understood that one cannot live on too much borrowed money for too long," Mr. Westerwelle said.

The New York Times

"You cannot live on fear".

The New York Times

A production cannot live on romance alone.

The New York Times

But man cannot live on art alone.

Independent

But man cannot live on music alone.

Independent

"They cannot live on politics alone".

The New York Times

"We cannot live on this earth without other life.

The New Yorker

Fans cannot live on so empty a diet.

The Guardian - Sport

The problem, says Mr Zorin, is that this class cannot live on its own.

The Economist

A reader cannot live on references to Balzac and Kierkegaard alone.

The New York Times - Books

LONDON — Olympic athletes cannot live on power bars and fruits and vegetables alone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot live on", ensure that the context clearly specifies what is insufficient for sustaining life or a desired standard of living. For example, "You "cannot live on" dreams alone; you need a practical plan."

Common error

Avoid using "cannot live on" in overly broad statements without specifying the necessary elements for survival or well-being. Instead of saying "We "cannot live on" hope", clarify with "We "cannot live on" hope alone; we need concrete actions to improve the situation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot live on" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing an inability or impossibility to sustain life or a certain standard of living based on a specific condition or resource. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Academic

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cannot live on" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the inability to sustain oneself or a certain standard of living given specific conditions. Ludwig AI indicates that it is widely accepted and used. It appears frequently in News & Media, often highlighting economic realities or social issues. While "cannot live on" is versatile, it is important to provide a clear context, specifying what is insufficient and what additional elements are necessary. Alternative phrases like "cannot survive on" or "cannot subsist on" can be used to provide slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot survive on

This alternative directly replaces "live" with "survive", emphasizing the basic requirements for existence are not met.

cannot subsist on

Using "subsist" highlights the minimal level of resources needed to sustain life or a particular activity.

cannot thrive on

While close to the original, "thrive" suggests a lack of growth and prosperity, not just mere survival.

cannot depend on

"Depend" focuses on reliance, implying that the subject is unsustainable as a primary source of support.

cannot rely on

Similar to "depend on", but can apply to non-material things like expectations or plans.

cannot be sustained by

This phrase uses a passive voice to indicate that something lacks the capacity to support life or activity.

is not viable with

Shifts the focus to viability, suggesting that the conditions are not conducive to success or continued existence.

cannot maintain oneself on

Emphasizes personal maintenance, implying that one's basic needs cannot be met.

cannot make a living with

Specifically relates to earning an income, suggesting that it's impossible to support oneself financially.

is insufficient for survival

This highlights the inadequacy of a resource or condition for ensuring survival.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "you "cannot live on" dreams"?

This phrase implies that dreams or aspirations alone are insufficient for achieving success or sustaining oneself. It suggests the need for practical actions, resources, or realistic planning in addition to having dreams.

What's a good alternative to ""cannot live on""?

Alternatives include "cannot survive on", "cannot subsist on", or "cannot depend on", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "one "cannot live on" bread alone"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. This is a common expression that means humans need more than just basic sustenance to thrive; they also need intellectual, emotional, and spiritual nourishment.

How can I use ""cannot live on"" in a sentence about finances?

You could say, "With the rising cost of living, many families "cannot live on" a single income any more" or "Retirees "cannot live on" fixed pensions without additional savings".