living on something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "living on something" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone relies on or sustains themselves with a particular resource, substance, or condition. Example: "He has been living on coffee and snacks while studying for his exams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It says lice are old, predate the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary, and must have been living on something".

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

We only pretend to live on something as orderly as a grid".

The New York Times - Books

This would be "a bit rough", she suggested/commanded in a note, as "he and his family have to live on something".

Independent

The average Roman senator was worth "only" about 5m, while the majority of the population lived on something closer to subsistence level; a single sestertius could buy two loaves of bread.

The Guardian - Books

Back home, he starts reading... how Gemma decided to get married, how she loved the smell of varnish and sawdust, the little white puppy she got on her wedding day, even Charles' conflict with his ex-wife... "I have to live on something".

Huffington Post

A strong national minimum wage is something to be proud of, but a fairly paid, productive workforce earning enough to live on will be something to shout about.

The Guardian - Opinion

I grew up in a suburban town in upstate New York, and although I never saw my grandmother's farm while my family was living on it, something about those bells sounded like home to me.

The New York Times - Travel

In Mr. Gregory's work and that of his trio of actors, the extended rehearsal period blends with the notion of a continuing company to create a sense of something living on the stage, something that slips beyond the usual parameters of an evening's entertainment.

The New York Times

Fastest-growing demand is among prospective full-time students who want to live on campus, something that requires long-range planning and financial resources at the state and campus levels.

The New York Times

How much is left and can you live on it?" "Something you can do on maternity leave is keep the marketing and business development side of things ticking over," he adds, "so when you're ready to go back, you're still out there in the market and you can find work.

The Guardian - Money

Glass might live on as something else, but Pichette's statements today suggest we might not recognize the form it takes when it does eventually re-emerge.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "living on something", ensure the 'something' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "He is living on something", specify "He is living on social security checks".

Common error

Avoid using "living on something" when a more specific verb or phrase would provide clarity. For example, instead of "The company is living on its past successes", consider "The company is coasting on its past successes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "living on something" functions as a verb phrase, where "living" is a present participle and "on something" acts as a prepositional phrase modifying the verb. It indicates a state of dependence or reliance on a particular resource or condition for sustenance or survival, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "living on something" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe dependence on a specific resource for sustenance or survival. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across diverse contexts, including news, media, science, and everyday conversations. While alternatives like "subsisting on" or "relying on" may offer nuanced meanings, ensuring clarity in specifying what the 'something' refers to is crucial for effective communication. Avoiding overly broad applications and favoring more specific language when appropriate can enhance precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsisting on something

Emphasizes survival or maintaining existence with limited resources.

existing on something

Simply states the act of existing and being sustained by something.

relying on something

Highlights the dependence on a particular thing for support or sustenance.

dependent on something

Focuses on the state of needing something for survival or function.

depending on something for survival

Explicitly states that survival is contingent on the resource.

thriving on something

Suggests not just survival, but flourishing because of a particular element.

getting by on something

Highlights managing to survive with limited resources or support.

making a living from something

Specifically refers to earning income or sustenance from an activity or resource.

drawing sustenance from something

Implies a more profound or essential need being met by something.

feeding on something

Often used in a literal sense for animals, but can be metaphorically applied to humans.

FAQs

How can I use "living on something" in a sentence?

You can use "living on something" to describe how someone sustains themselves, like "He is "living on a fixed income"", or how an organism survives, such as "Lice are "living on something alive"".

What's a good alternative to "living on something"?

Alternatives include "subsisting on", "relying on", or "dependent on", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "live on something"?

Yes, "live on something" is grammatically correct. It indicates that someone or something depends on a particular resource for survival or sustenance. For example, "They "live on donations"".

What is the difference between "living on" and "living in"?

"Living on" describes what provides sustenance or support, whereas "living in" refers to a location or environment. For example, you might say "They are "living in poverty", "living on government assistance"".