live for something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "live for something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong passion or purpose in life, often indicating that someone dedicates their time and energy to a particular cause or interest. Example: "She truly lives for her art, spending every waking moment creating and perfecting her craft."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

She needed something to live for; something to protect and love - something to survive for.

The Guardian - Books

Line of the week Gregory: "I just wanted to live for something.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It inspired me to think differently about myself – I always wanted to be a role model and to let people know that it's OK to dream and to live for something.

The Guardian

San Francisco had been a place where some people came out of idealism or stayed to realize an ideal: to work for social justice or teach the disabled, to write poetry or practise alternative medicine – to be part of something larger than themselves that was not a corporation, to live for something more than money.

The Guardian

It makes you live for something greater than yourself.

Huffington Post

We will only find true happiness in the world when we live for something worth dying for.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

They lived for something.

The Guardian - Opinion

He was living for something, if only the loving preservation of a legend.

The Guardian - Music

"It stretches you and makes you hopefully more selfless, living for something more than just your own comfort".

The New York Times

But over the past week, he has been extolling the virtues of single mothers at every turn, holding them out as examples of Americans "living for something bigger than themselves".

The New York Times

The times we lived for something larger than ourselves.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "live for something" to convey a sense of purpose or passion that drives someone's actions and decisions. It implies a strong commitment to a particular goal or value.

Common error

Ensure that when you use "live for something", the 'something' is clear to the reader. Ambiguity can weaken the impact of your statement. Be specific about the cause, passion, or goal that provides purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "live for something" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, where "live" is the verb and "for something" is a prepositional phrase indicating the purpose or reason for living. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Huffington Post

15%

The Guardian

10%

Less common in

Vice

2%

The New York Times

2%

BBC

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "live for something" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that conveys a sense of purpose, passion, or dedication in life. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently found in news and media contexts, indicating its broad applicability. While it's generally neutral in tone, clarity in specifying what one "lives for" is crucial for effective communication. Alternatives like "have a reason to exist" or "dedicate oneself to a cause" offer similar nuances, but the core idea remains centered on having a driving force or meaning in one's existence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exist with purpose

Similar to "live for something", but places more emphasis on the intention behind one's existence.

have a reason to exist

Focuses on the fundamental reason for being, highlighting the importance of purpose.

find meaning in life

Emphasizes the discovery of significance and purpose in one's experiences.

pursue a passion

Highlights the active engagement in something one is deeply enthusiastic about.

dedicate oneself to a cause

Stresses commitment and devotion to a particular purpose or belief.

be driven by something

This alternative emphasizes the external force or passion that motivates a person's actions and decisions, contrasting with the active choice implied in the original phrase.

find one's calling

Suggests discovering a vocation or mission that provides direction and fulfillment.

have a driving force

Highlights the motivational aspect of having something to strive for.

embrace a mission

Focuses on accepting and actively pursuing a significant goal or purpose.

be committed to

Suggests devotion and dedication to a specific person, cause, or belief, implying a sense of loyalty and responsibility

FAQs

How can I use "live for something" in a sentence?

Use "live for something" to express a strong sense of purpose or dedication to a particular cause, activity, or value. For example, "She "dedicates herself to a cause"" or "He "pursues a passion"".

What are some alternatives to "live for something"?

Alternatives include phrases like "have a reason to exist", "find meaning in life", or "dedicate oneself to a cause", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "live for something" formal or informal?

"Live for something" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, the surrounding language and tone should be adjusted to fit the specific situation. In certain situations using a stronger alternative may be more fitting.

What does it mean to "live for something"?

To "live for something" means to have a strong sense of purpose or dedication to a particular cause, activity, or value that gives meaning and direction to your life.