fighting for survival

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fighting for survival" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals or groups are struggling to stay alive or maintain their existence, often in challenging or dangerous situations. Example: "After the shipwreck, the survivors found themselves fighting for survival on a deserted island."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In a city where one has to fight for everything, fighting for survival is second nature.

The New York Times

Mark Hughes' teams always fight but QPR players are fighting for survival".

BBC

Both are in crisis and fighting for survival.

The New York Times

[see footnote] Russian-speaking Ukrainians are fighting for survival.

The Guardian - Opinion

She is someone who is constantly fighting for survival".

The New York Times

This is a tough, scrappy country, perpetually fighting for survival.

The New York Times

Spieth was fighting for survival in golf's swampy hinterlands.

The New York Times - Sports

Built on a swamp, Lagos is fighting for survival.

The Economist

Workers at companies fighting for survival are swallowing wage cuts.

The Economist

Formerly august, unassailable institutions are fighting for survival.

The Economist

By contrast, Intel, I.B.M. and Apple were fighting for survival.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "fighting for survival", ensure the context clearly indicates what entity (individual, group, organization, etc.) is facing an existential threat and what forces they are contending with.

Common error

Avoid using "fighting for survival" in situations that are merely difficult or challenging, but not genuinely life-threatening or existence-threatening. Reserve it for scenarios where the stakes are truly dire.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fighting for survival" functions as a participial phrase often used adjectivally to describe a noun or pronoun that is facing an existential threat. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is widely accepted and used in diverse contexts. The phrase describes actively resisting circumstances that threaten existence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fighting for survival" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a situation where someone or something is actively struggling against an existential threat. Ludwig AI confirms that it is widely accepted and used. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it should be used judiciously to avoid exaggerating less critical situations. Consider using alternatives such as "struggling to survive" or "battling for existence" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggling to survive

Focuses on the act of struggling, emphasizing effort.

battling for existence

Implies an ongoing fight, emphasizing the challenge of maintaining life.

striving for continued existence

Highlights the effort toward ensuring life persists.

contending to stay alive

Focuses on actively dealing with challenges that threaten life.

in a life-or-death situation

Highlights the high stakes and immediacy of the threat.

on the brink of extinction

Emphasizes being extremely close to disappearing.

in a desperate struggle to live

Highlights the desperation and intensity of the fight.

grappling with mortality

Focuses on the confrontation with one's own mortality.

facing an existential threat

Emphasizes a threat to the very core of one's existence.

working to avert annihilation

Focuses on actively preventing total destruction.

FAQs

How can I use "fighting for survival" in a sentence?

The phrase "fighting for survival" describes a situation where someone or something is struggling to continue living or existing. For example: "The small business is "fighting for survival" against larger corporations."

What are some alternatives to "fighting for survival"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "struggling to survive", "battling for existence", or "striving for continued existence".

Is it appropriate to use "fighting for survival" in a business context?

Yes, it can be used to describe a company or organization facing significant challenges that threaten its existence. However, ensure the situation warrants such a strong phrase; otherwise, it might sound hyperbolic.

What is the difference between "fighting for survival" and "struggling to survive"?

"Fighting for survival" implies a more active and intense struggle against a greater threat, while "struggling to survive" suggests a difficult but perhaps less directly confrontational situation. Both are valid depending on the specific context.