live on

USAGE SUMMARY

"live on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that continues to exist in spite of changes or difficulties. For example: "The tradition of eating pancakes on Shrove Tuesday has lived on throughout the years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I will live on.

Independent

They live on Capt.

The New Yorker

His ideas live on.

Independent

ET, live on NBC.

The New York Times

Rituals, happily, live on.

The New York Times

We live on results.

The New York Times - Sports

We'll live on pasta".

The New Yorker

His legacy will live on.

The New York Times

"I live on the street.

The New York Times

His music will live on.

The New York Times

"We live on Long Island".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing legacies, use "live on" to emphasize the lasting impact of a person or their work. For example, "Their ideas live on through their students" highlights continued influence.

Common error

Don't confuse "live on", which refers to sustenance or continued existence, with "live in", which indicates a place of residence. For instance, "They live on hope" is different from "They live in a house".

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "live on" primarily functions as an intransitive verb. It describes either the means by which someone or something survives (e.g., "We live on results") or the continuation of a legacy or memory (e.g., "His music will live on"). As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "live on" is grammatically correct and versatile, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is very commonly used to describe how someone subsists, whether literally through diet or figuratively through hope or memories. It also serves to emphasize the enduring quality of intangible things such as a person's legacy. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources and carries a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using "live on", ensure you're clear about what is providing sustenance or what is enduring. Avoid confusing it with "live in", which refers to residence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

survive on

Focuses on the means of sustenance or existence, often implying limited resources.

subsist on

Emphasizes a basic or minimal level of sustenance.

endure

Highlights the ability to withstand hardship and continue existing.

persist

Implies continuing despite obstacles or resistance.

continue to exist

A more formal and explicit way of expressing the idea of not ceasing to be.

carry on

Suggests continuation of a task or activity, rather than mere existence.

keep going

Focuses on forward momentum and sustained effort.

remain alive

Highlights the state of being alive, especially in difficult circumstances.

prevail

Emphasizes ultimate success or triumph after a struggle.

make a living

Focuses on earning enough money to support oneself.

FAQs

How can I use "live on" in a sentence?

The phrase "live on" can describe how someone subsists (e.g., "They "live on a pension"") or how a legacy continues (e.g., "Their memory will "live on in our hearts"").

What does "live on" mean when referring to food?

When referring to food, "live on" means to subsist primarily or solely on a particular food or type of food. For example, "During the famine, they had to "live on soup"".

What can I say instead of "their memory will live on"?

You can use alternatives like "their memory will "endure"", "their legacy will "persist"", or "their influence will "continue"".

How is "live on" different from "survive on"?

"Live on" and "survive on" are similar, but "live on" can imply a more stable or chosen means of sustenance, while "survive on" often suggests enduring difficult circumstances. You might "live on" a salary, but "survive on" rations.