exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "exist" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something has life, reality, or being. For example: "The ancient ruins still exist today, lending a sense of history to the landscape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It just doesn't exist.

The New York Times - Arts

The MPs and peers suggested that the new legislation should list every intrusive capability available to the security services and specify their purpose, authorisation procedure and what safeguards and oversight procedures exist for their use.

The Guardian

One problem for Muslims is that social spaces in this country exist around alcohol.

The Guardian

#EmergingUS will exist primarily on the web, but some of the work will eventually appear in the printed version of the paper.

The Guardian

"When I came to this country, I realised what did not exist, and had existed then: music in the air, and a level of culture among the people you wouldn't get nowadays.

The Guardian - Music

As a result humans would probably not exist.

The Guardian

Well for the obvious reason that the SNP don't want Britain to be a success, indeed they don't want Britain to exist.

The Guardian

So this party, which didn't exist a year ago, had no need to fall back on a shorthand, to place themselves on a spectrum that they didn't believe in.

The Guardian

More than half of the food in Russia's supermarkets is imported, and, when it comes to Russian consumer goods, most are either poor quality or simply do not exist.

The Guardian

But it's supply and demand, I guess – those websites wouldn't exist if people weren't reading them.

The Guardian

She insisted she wanted to tell "the other story of Iran", that positive stories about her home country do exist.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exist" to denote the state of being real or present. Consider context to determine if a more specific verb (e.g., "live", "subsist", "prevail") would be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "exist" when a more precise verb would better convey your intended meaning. For instance, instead of saying "The problem exists", you might say "The problem persists" or "The problem remains", depending on the specific nuance you want to communicate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "exist" is as an intransitive verb. It asserts the being or reality of a subject. As confirmed by Ludwig, it signifies that something has life, reality, or being.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "exist" is a fundamental term denoting being or reality, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its primary grammatical function is intransitive, serving to assert the presence of a subject. As the examples demonstrate, it's commonly used in News & Media. While "exist" is generally correct, consider if more specific verbs like "survive" or "prevail" might be more appropriate to convey nuanced meaning. Remember, the key is to ensure that your word choice precisely reflects your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be in existence

This phrase stresses the state of existing.

come into being

This alternative emphasizes the commencement of existence.

have being

This option is a more formal way of expressing existence.

be present

This suggests existence in a specific location or time.

be found

This indicates that something can be located and therefore exists.

prevail

This implies continued existence, often in the face of challenges.

occur

This denotes that something takes place or happens, and thus exists.

live

This term implies animate existence.

subsist

This suggests existing at a minimal level.

endure

This indicates lasting existence over time.

FAQs

How can I use "exist" in a sentence?

You can use "exist" to indicate that something has reality or being, such as "Many ancient cultures still "exist" today" or "Does intelligent life "exist" elsewhere in the universe?"

What are some alternatives to the word "exist"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be present", "be in existence", or "come into being" to convey the same idea.

Which is correct, "exist" or "is existing"?

"Exist" is generally used to describe a state of being, while "is existing" (present continuous) implies a temporary or ongoing process. "Exist" is typically the preferred choice for general statements of existence.

What's the difference between "exist" and "survive"?

"Exist" simply means to have being or reality. "Survive", on the other hand, implies continuing to "exist" in the face of difficult or challenging circumstances.