Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

living lived

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "living lived" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express a concept related to life experiences or existence, but it lacks clarity and coherence. Example: "The idea of living lived is intriguing, but it needs further explanation to be understood."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mr. Maragh, a high school dropout who did odd jobs for a living, lived in Middletown with his girlfriend, May DeGroat.

News & Media

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"If you're going to live, live!

News & Media

The New Yorker

"I saw it live, live, live," he said.

News & Media

The New York Times

Will Franco's mere presence in the shop cause Arthur to embrace the gospel of the soul and live, live, live?

News & Media

The New Yorker

One life to live, live it with love&wisdom.

They were also living lives different from ours.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Whatever the cause, they are living lives of squalid chaos.

News & Media

Independent

Do they live lives of self esteem?

News & Media

The New York Times

Many women live lives like this.

MOST deputy secretaries live lives of quiet frustration.

News & Media

The Economist

They can live lives that are almost normal" (Pérez-Armendáriz, 2014, p.76).

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the grammatically questionable phrase "living lived", opt for clearer expressions like "experiencing life" or "life experienced" to convey your intended meaning effectively.

Common error

Don't combine the present participle "living" with the past tense "lived" as it creates a non-standard and confusing construction. Always use grammatically correct and easily understandable phrases to avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "living lived" is grammatically unsound, combining a present participle with a past tense verb. This results in a construction that lacks a clear function in standard English. Ludwig AI confirms its incorrectness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "living lived" is considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment, suggesting it should be avoided in favor of clearer alternatives such as "experiencing life" or "life experienced". While examples can be found across various source types—including News & Media, Science, and Wiki—its infrequent and inconsistent usage, combined with its grammatical ambiguity, makes it an unsuitable choice for effective communication. It is best to opt for more standard and easily understood expressions to convey the intended meaning of life experiences.

FAQs

Is "living lived" grammatically correct?

No, "living lived" is not grammatically correct. It combines a present participle with a past tense verb, resulting in an ungrammatical and unclear construction. Consider using phrases like "experiencing life" or "life experienced" instead.

What does "living lived" try to convey?

The phrase "living lived" may attempt to describe the experiences and qualities of a life already lived, but its construction lacks clarity. It's better to use explicit phrases like "a life well lived" or "a fully experienced life" to clearly communicate this idea.

Can you provide an alternative to "living lived" that sounds more natural?

Instead of "living lived", consider using phrases like "actively living" or "life in progress", depending on the context. These alternatives sound more natural and are grammatically correct.

How can I avoid using incorrect phrases like "living lived"?

To avoid such errors, focus on using standard grammatical structures. Review your sentences for clarity and correctness, and consider using grammar-checking tools or seeking feedback from others to ensure your writing is accurate and easy to understand. Alternatives like "the life they led" are preferable.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: