existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "existence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the state or fact of being real or having life. For example: "The existence of love is the most important thing in life".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The prospect of freedom had become his reason for existence.

The Guardian

This is the first time the government has admitted the boat's existence after both Morrison and the Australian prime minister repeatedly refused to comment on its whereabouts, citing national security interests under Australia's hardline military-led border regime.

The Guardian

Google's latest doodle celebrates the birthday of Danish seismologist Inge Lehmann, who discovered the existence of an inner core in the Earth.

The Guardian - Tech

"Daesh leaders are working at setting up a state and do not deny the existence of terrorist volunteers from European countries who may or may not have dual nationality … it goes beyond what we experienced before with al-Qaida," he said.

The Guardian

Community activist Stafford Scott said "we are very disappointed" and called for a public inquiry into why police did not remove the gun from the streets when its existence was first reported to them.

The Guardian

The existence of the evidence, gathered at the crime scene, was never disclosed either to the boys' defence teams or to the district attorney prosecuting the case.

The Guardian

I suspected that the majority of people lamenting the existence of twerking don't understand what it is, and have not actually seen the dance itself (including those who have watched Miley Cyrus' performance at the VMAs).

The Guardian - Opinion

But standing here, surrounded by this vast, incredible landscape, the sheer force of its existence slaps you in the face.

The Guardian - Travel

Now, details have begun to emerge of Broomhilda's abhorrently miserable existence.

The Guardian - Film

It was the first time the government had admitted the boat's existence after refusing to comment on its whereabouts for more than two weeks.

The Guardian

As recently as last year, lawmakers asked the Pentagon to phase JIEDDO out of existence entirely.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts, use "existence" to denote the fundamental state of being, especially in philosophical or scientific contexts. For example, "the existence of dark matter is theorized but not yet directly observed."

Common error

Avoid using "existence" when you mean a particular case or example. "Instance" refers to a specific occurrence, while "existence" refers to the general state of being. For example, instead of saying "the existence of poverty", consider "instances of poverty" if you are referring to specific situations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "existence" is as a noun, denoting the state or fact of being or existing. Ludwig confirms this through numerous examples where "existence" functions as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "existence" functions as a noun denoting the state of being, with Ludwig examples showing its prevalent use across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal writing. Its neutral tone makes it versatile for both objective reporting and abstract discussions. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of "existence" in written English. Be mindful to differentiate "existence" from "instance" to ensure accuracy in your writing. Exploring synonyms like "being" and understanding its communicative purpose can further enhance the precision and impact of your expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being

This term offers a more philosophical or abstract way to refer to existence.

the state of being

A more descriptive phrase that elaborates on the concept of existence.

reality

Focuses on the state of being real or actual.

the fact of existing

Highlights the factual nature of existence.

actuality

Emphasizes the fact or state of being real or present.

presence

Highlights the state of being present in a specific place or time.

survival

Emphasizes the continuation of existence, often in challenging circumstances.

subsistence

Focuses on maintaining existence, especially with minimal resources.

viability

Indicates the ability to exist or survive under certain conditions.

occurrence

Refers to something that happens or exists.

FAQs

How can I use "existence" in a sentence?

You can use "existence" to refer to the state of being real or alive. For example, "The scientist questioned the "existence of life on Mars"".

What's a more formal synonym for "existence"?

A more formal synonym for "existence" is "being" which is often used in philosophical or abstract contexts.

What are some antonyms for "existence"?

Antonyms for "existence" include "nonexistence", "nothingness", and "void".

How does "existence" differ from "occurrence"?

"Existence" refers to the state of being, while "occurrence" refers to something that happens. While something must exist to occur, "occurrence" implies an event or instance within that existence. For example, the "existence of gravity" allows for the "occurrence of falling objects".