desperate to survive

USAGE SUMMARY

"desperate to survive" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone who is in a difficult situation and will do anything to keep living or to continue existing in a certain way. For example, "The refugees were desperate to survive, so they risked their lives to flee the war-torn country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Atletico are just desperate to survive.

The Guardian - Sport

Desperate to survive after four consecutive losses, BMW Oracle replaced its skipper and chief executive, Chris Dickson, on Sunday morning.

The New York Times - Sports

For a time after the Enron scandal exploded, it appeared that reform might come from an Andersen desperate to survive.

The New York Times

But before he cut the line you could see that the shark was flapping around, injuring himself, because he was desperate to survive.

The New Yorker

In "Onibaba," a woman and her daughter-in-law, desperate to survive, murder roaming samurai and sell their weapons and armor.

The New York Times - Arts

The animals were so desperate to survive that they started breeding with smaller coyotes that they once chased away or killed.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But for those who do not, the desperate struggle to survive often means selling their bodies.

The New York Times

The months she had hoped to spend getting to know her new daughter were hijacked by illness, fear and a desperate quest to survive.

The New York Times - Health

In a manner not much like Marlowe or Jonson, Shakespeare has associated his characters' desperate need to survive with real issues of human love.

The Guardian - Books

Even this year, in the depth of the recession, a number of struggling banks have been piling up hot money in a desperate effort to survive.

The New York Times

Two months ago, Morgan Stanley, one of the grandest names on Wall Street, transformed itself into an old-fashioned bank holding company in a desperate bid to survive the financial crisis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "desperate to survive", consider the emotional weight it carries. Ensure it aligns with the overall tone and intended impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "desperate to survive" in situations where the stakes are not truly life-threatening or existentially challenging. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and appear melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "desperate to survive" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate the reason behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "desperate to survive" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that highlights the extreme measures taken to continue living or existing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate for describing situations where life or well-being is seriously threatened. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase carries a neutral register, though the scenarios it depicts often lend themselves to more serious or formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure its weight aligns with the context, avoiding overuse in less critical situations to preserve its impact. Alternative phrases, such as "fighting for survival" or "struggling to stay alive", can offer nuanced variations of this intense concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doing everything to survive

Highlights the effort, potentially implying various actions taken.

going to any lengths to live

Emphasizes the extent of measures taken to survive.

fighting for survival

Focuses on the active struggle rather than the emotional state.

struggling to stay alive

Highlights the effort required to maintain life.

clinging to life

Emphasizes the precariousness of the situation.

determined to live

Shifts the focus to resolve rather than desperation.

striving for existence

Formal and emphasizes the effort to maintain existence.

in a life-or-death situation

Describes the situation that necessitates desperate measures.

with their back against the wall

Implies a last-ditch effort for survival under pressure.

grasping at straws

Suggests a futile attempt to survive, relying on desperate measures.

FAQs

How can I use "desperate to survive" in a sentence?

You can use "desperate to survive" to describe a situation where someone is facing extreme hardship and will do anything to continue living or existing. For example: "The company was "doing everything to survive", implementing drastic cost-cutting measures."

What are some alternatives to saying "desperate to survive"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "fighting for survival", "struggling to stay alive", or "determined to live".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "desperate to survive"?

It's appropriate when describing situations where life, existence, or a critical aspect of someone's life is threatened, and they are taking extreme measures to continue. Consider scenarios like natural disasters, severe illness, or financial ruin.

Is "desperate to survive" a formal or informal expression?

The phrase is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although the seriousness of the situations it describes often lends itself to more serious or formal writing.