live solely on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "live solely on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone depends entirely on a specific source for their sustenance or support. Example: "Some people choose to live solely on a plant-based diet for health reasons."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

If all your other work went away and you had to live solely on the income from the songs you've already written, could you do it?

The New York Times

Those who live solely on government salaries can barely survive, even with free health care and subsidized rations of some basic foodstuffs and tobacco.

The New York Times

He had a proposition that blew me away: he would help me to live solely on bitcoins for a month.

TechCrunch

On the average, rice accounts for nearly 70% of the calorific demand in Bangladesh (GRiSP 2013), where poor people basically live solely on rice.

Rice

–Try to live solely on your other accounts your brokerage accounts, for example–and put off drawing from your tax-free 401(k) and IRA until the maximum age allowed, 70-and-a-half.

Forbes

But as Jose Saramago noted in The Double (2007), "It is a well known fact that no human being can live solely on hope".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Some families have resorted to living solely on buckwheat.

Independent

But that is pretty much what anyone who lives solely on Social Security can expect.

The New York Times

From 1986 to '90, the Lees lived solely on Ms. Lin's income.

The New York Times

When David Roberts and Elaine Kuok moved to New York City, they packed everything into three suitcases and lived solely on Airbnb.

The Guardian

Life is not lived solely on the basketball court but the game can offer suggestions on how to live.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the connotation: "live solely on" can suggest either resourcefulness or a precarious situation depending on context.

Common error

Avoid using "live solely on" when the reliance is not absolute. Using it loosely can weaken the impact of your statement. Instead, consider alternatives like "primarily rely on" or "largely depend on" when the dependence is not complete.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "live solely on" functions as a verb phrase expressing dependence. It signifies that someone's survival or way of life is entirely supported by a particular source. As Ludwig AI highlights, this dependence can range from dietary habits to financial circumstances.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "live solely on" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes complete dependence on a particular source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and formal business writing. Although not extremely frequent, it effectively conveys a state of exclusive reliance. When using this phrase, ensure that the dependence is truly absolute and consider the potential connotations it might carry. Alternatives like "depend entirely on" or "rely exclusively on" can be used depending on the nuance you want to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depend entirely on

Emphasizes reliance and complete dependence.

rely exclusively on

Highlights the exclusivity of the reliance.

subsist entirely on

Focuses on survival and sustenance.

survive exclusively on

Stresses the idea of surviving only on a particular resource.

exist solely on

Highlights the act of existing and being dependent.

be sustained only by

Implies a passive reception of sustenance.

draw sustenance exclusively from

More formal, emphasizing the source of nutrition.

derive livelihood solely from

Specifically relates to income and means of living.

be completely dependent on

Highlights the state of dependence.

base one's existence entirely on

Emphasizes that the entirety of someone's existence depend on a single element.

FAQs

What does it mean to "live solely on" something?

To "live solely on" something means to depend entirely on that particular thing for survival or sustenance. It implies a complete reliance on a single source, whether it's income, food, or another resource.

What can I say instead of "live solely on"?

You can use alternatives like "depend entirely on", "rely exclusively on", or "subsist entirely on" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to "live solely on" something?

Not necessarily. While it can suggest a precarious situation, it can also imply resourcefulness or a deliberate choice. The context determines whether it carries a negative connotation.

How does "live solely on" differ from "live primarily on"?

"Live solely on" implies complete dependence, while "live primarily on" suggests that while something is the main source of sustenance or support, there may be other supplementary sources. It's the difference between exclusivity and majority.