he survived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he survived" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has continued to live or exist after a difficult or dangerous situation. Example: "After the plane crash, he survived against all odds and was rescued by a search team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He survived something un-survivable.

Vice

He survived.

Yale University

Yet he survived.

The Economist

Yet somehow he survived.

The New Yorker

But he survived.

The New Yorker

He survived, just.

The Economist

Somehow, he survived.

The New Yorker

And he survived.

The New York Times - Sports

Miraculously, he survived.

The New York Times

Amazingly, he survived.

The New York Times

Remarkably, he survived.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he survived" to clearly and concisely convey that someone lived through a dangerous or difficult situation. Ensure the context provides sufficient information about the event from which the person survived.

Common error

Avoid using "he survived" without specifying what the person survived. Lack of context can leave the reader confused or needing more information. Always provide context to enhance clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he survived" functions as a simple declarative statement, asserting that a male subject lived through a particular event or circumstance. This aligns with Ludwig's identification of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he survived" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate that someone lived through a dangerous or difficult situation. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using "he survived", ensure you provide adequate context to specify what the person survived. Alternatives such as "he made it through" or "he pulled through" can be used for variety, depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to avoid ambiguity by always specifying the event or circumstance from which the person survived.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he cheated death

Implies a narrow escape from death.

he made it through

Focuses on the completion of a difficult experience.

he was a survivor

Highlights his identity as someone who has overcome adversity.

he pulled through

Highlights the effort and resilience required to survive.

he came out alive

Emphasizes the outcome of surviving a dangerous event.

he overcame the odds

Stresses the improbability of survival.

he dodged a bullet

Uses the metaphor of dodging a bullet to represent the act of avoiding or surviving danger.

he weathered the storm

Uses a metaphorical storm to represent a difficult period.

he triumphed over adversity

Presents survival as a victory against difficult circumstances.

he lived to tell the tale

Focuses on the ability to recount the survival story.

FAQs

How can I use "he survived" in a sentence?

Use "he survived" to indicate that someone lived through a dangerous or difficult situation. For example, "After the accident, "he survived" despite his severe injuries."

What can I say instead of "he survived"?

You can use alternatives like "he made it through", "he came out alive", or "he pulled through" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "he survived" or "he was survived"?

"He survived" is correct. "He was survived" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. The verb 'survive' is typically used actively in this context.

What's the difference between "he survived" and "he endured"?

"He survived" specifically implies living through a dangerous event. "He endured" suggests bearing hardship over a longer period without necessarily facing immediate danger. For example, he endured years of poverty.