exist to me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exist to me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a personal perception or understanding of something's existence or significance in one's life. Example: "The memories of our time together still exist to me, even though we are miles apart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Radio 1 doesn't exist to me.

The Guardian

Q.Why weren't you saving any of this A.It's like for some weird reason, once I finish a project, it doesn't exist to me anymore.

The New York Times

The hand that was dealt doesn't exist to me.' " From an early age he'd been interested in performing, whether rewriting the lyrics to "Mary Had a Little Lamb" or spending time as a child model.

The New York Times - Arts

"My wife didn't exist to me.

BBC

As Ben Barren points out, it's a handy way of keeping up to date for those who live in their feed readers "because if its not in my google reader it doesnt exist to me, so now I'll see what people are doing".

TechCrunch

In the mid-00s Burial didn't exist to me and yet, seven years on and worlds apart, there's something about the lonely percussive loops and muffled voices of his 2006 self-titled debut, Untrue, and "Paradise Circus", "Kindred", and "Truant" to follow, that still apply to my past.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

That "the games and amusements of mankind" only exist to shield me from the torture of simply existing in our late capitalist hellscape.

Vice

I consider myself fortunate to live in the UK, where laws exist to protect me from such persecution.

Independent

So I'm grateful that enough imaginative portrayals of the cloister exist to transport me by bookish means into these austere surroundings.

The Guardian - Books

Sometimes the NFU seems to me to exist to champion bad practice and block any possibility of positive change.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is an attempt to move beyond a consumer understanding of democracy — a government that exists to give me what I want, while I get on with my life — and to a more We-centric worldview in which good governance becomes a responsibility more than an entitlement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "exist to me" to express a subjective viewpoint or how something is perceived in your personal reality. It highlights that something may be real or important to you, even if others don't share the same view.

Common error

While "exist to me" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in formal writing where a more objective or universally accepted phrasing might be more appropriate. Consider using alternatives like "are relevant to" or "are significant for" in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exist to me" functions as a qualifier, indicating that something holds personal relevance or reality for the speaker. As noted by Ludwig, it conveys a subjective viewpoint. Examples show its use in expressing personal beliefs, emotional connections, or perceptions of events.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exist to me" serves as a personal qualifier, expressing that something has reality or significance from an individual's perspective. While grammatically correct and usable, as confirmed by Ludwig, its usage is more frequent in news and media and leans towards a neutral to informal register. When writing, use it to convey subjective viewpoints or experiences, but consider more objective alternatives like "are relevant to" in formal contexts. Remember, Ludwig's analysis highlights its role in sharing personal perceptions and building connections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

matter to me

Emphasizes personal importance or significance.

mean something to me

Highlights the personal value or emotional connection.

are relevant to me

Focuses on the pertinence or applicability to one's own situation.

have significance for me

Highlights the importance or meaningfulness from a personal perspective.

hold importance to me

Similar to 'have significance', but with a slightly different emphasis.

register with me

Indicates that something has an impact or is noticed on a personal level.

are of consequence to me

Focuses on the impact or importance of something on personal outcomes.

resonate with me

Emphasizes a personal connection or emotional agreement.

are pertinent to me

Highlights the direct relevance or applicability to oneself.

have bearing on me

Indicates that something influences or affects one's situation or perspective.

FAQs

How can I use "exist to me" in a sentence?

Use "exist to me" to express a personal understanding or perception of something. For example, "The memories of our childhood still "matter to me", even though we are miles apart".

What's a more formal alternative to "exist to me"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "are relevant to me" or "are significant for me" to maintain a more objective tone.

Is "exist to me" grammatically correct?

Yes, "exist to me" is grammatically correct. It's a valid way to express that something has reality or importance from your personal perspective.

What's the difference between "exist to me" and "exist for me"?

"Exist to me" focuses on your personal perception of something's reality or importance. "Exist for me" can imply a purpose or reason for something's existence that benefits you directly.