living off

USAGE SUMMARY

"living off" is a perfectly correct phrase in written English.
It is typically used to mean that one is receiving money from another source regularly, so they do not need to use other sources to make a living. For example: "I'm not working right now, I'm living off my parents' income."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I'm living off savings.

The New York Times - Sports

We're living off our savings.

The New Yorker

I am tired of living off crumbs.

The Guardian - Opinion

Supported himself by living off the land.

The New York Times

"This is living off the land.

The New York Times

Living off your dime?" Cathy asked.

The New Yorker

People living off public assistance certainly don't have it easy.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

When living off-grid, a renewable water supply is essential.

Forbes

Does living off-the-grid entice you?

Los Angeles Times

How will living off-Earth change us?

Huffington Post

Like OMG-I-might-start-living-off-this-stuff good.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "living off", ensure the context clearly indicates the source of support or sustenance. For instance, specify whether someone is "living off" savings, investments, or government assistance.

Common error

Avoid using "living off" without specifying the source of sustenance. Vague statements like "He is living off" can lead to confusion. Instead, clarify: "He is living off his pension."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "living off" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of dependence on a particular source for sustenance or financial support. It describes how someone is sustaining themselves. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate grammatical use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "living off" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that signifies dependence on a specific source for sustenance or financial support. Ludwig AI validates its use, and its prevalence in news, academic, and business contexts underscores its versatility. While alternatives like "subsisting on" or "dependent on" exist, "living off" remains a clear and concise way to convey how someone is sustaining themselves. It's important to specify the source of support to avoid ambiguity. From numerous examples, it is evident that understanding "living off" helps in interpreting financial and survival narratives across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsisting on

Focuses more on the bare necessities required for survival.

dependent on

Emphasizes reliance on something or someone for support.

relying on

Highlights the act of placing trust and dependence on a resource.

being supported by

Indicates that someone or something is providing the necessary means.

drawing sustenance from

Suggests obtaining nourishment or support from a source, often metaphorically.

thriving on

Implies not just surviving but flourishing due to something.

making a living from

Specifically refers to earning income from a particular activity or source.

getting by on

Highlights managing to survive on limited resources.

benefiting from

Suggests receiving advantages or profits from a source.

existing on

Emphasizes the state of merely surviving with minimal resources.

FAQs

How can I use "living off" in a sentence?

You can use "living off" to indicate reliance on a source of income or resources, as in "They are "living off their savings"" or "He is "living off the land"".

What are some alternatives to "living off"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "subsisting on", "dependent on", or "relying on".

Is it correct to say "life off" instead of "living off"?

While "life off" might appear similar, it's not a standard English phrase with the same meaning as "living off". "Living off" specifically indicates dependence on a resource for survival or sustenance.

What's the difference between "living off" and "making a living from"?

"Living off" generally implies using existing resources for support, while "making a living from" refers to actively earning income from a specific activity or job.