getting by

USAGE SUMMARY

"getting by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when describing someone who is able to manage or survive despite difficult circumstances or challenges. Example: She was just getting by on her part-time job while she looked for something better.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

NICKEL AND DIMED: On (Not) Getting By in America.

The New York Times - Books

Lisa's motto is "Getting by isn't".

Huffington Post

Right now, we're getting by, which means two things: Josh isn't stressing because we're actually getting by, and I am stressing because we're only getting by!

HuffPost

Families getting by on less.

The New York Times

"We're getting by.

The Guardian

People are getting by.

The Washington Post

"We're getting by," my mother answered.

The New Yorker

We're barely getting by.

The Washington Post

"I'm getting by," Mr. Maron said.

The New York Times - Arts

It is getting by, more or less.

The Economist

"I've been getting by," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "getting by" to describe a state of managing with limited resources or in difficult situations. It effectively conveys a sense of barely making it.

Common error

While "getting by" is common, it's often too informal for academic or highly professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "managing" or "subsisting" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "getting by" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a state of managing to live or cope with minimal resources. Ludwig's examples show its use in describing financial situations and general survival. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "getting by" is a common phrasal verb used to describe the act of managing to live or cope with limited resources. According to Ludwig, it's a grammatically sound phrase widely used in various contexts, primarily in news and media, but less so in formal academic writing. The phrase conveys a sense of minimal survival or barely making ends meet, and its alternatives include "making do" and "scraping by". While versatile, it's important to consider the register and opt for more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in contemporary English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making do

Focuses on using available resources effectively, even if they are not ideal.

scraping by

Emphasizes the difficulty and struggle involved in surviving with very little.

just surviving

Highlights the basic level of existence, without any comfort or extra resources.

eeking out a living

Implies a slow and laborious process of earning enough to live.

barely subsisting

Stresses the minimal resources available for survival.

making ends meet

Highlights the effort to balance income and expenses.

getting along

A more general term for managing, without necessarily implying hardship.

coping

Focuses on managing difficulties and challenges.

managing

A broad term for handling situations and resources.

navigating

Highlights the active effort to find a path through difficulties.

FAQs

How can I use "getting by" in a sentence?

You can use "getting by" to describe managing or surviving with limited resources or in difficult circumstances. For example, "She was just "making ends meet" while looking for a better job".

What are some alternatives to "getting by"?

Alternatives to "getting by" include "making do", "scraping by", or "just surviving", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "getting by" formal or informal?

"Getting by" is generally considered informal and is best suited for casual conversations or less formal writing. More formal alternatives exist for professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "getting by" and "thriving"?

"Getting by" implies a minimal level of survival or management, while "thriving" suggests success, growth, and prosperity. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum of well-being and success.