marginal living

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marginal living" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lifestyle characterized by minimal resources or financial instability, often implying a struggle to meet basic needs. Example: "Many families in the area are facing marginal living conditions, making it difficult for them to afford necessities like food and housing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"What happens with so many of them is they never set foot in the amusement parks and they end up in marginal living situations and in some circumstances those totally fall apart and they end up on the streets," Ms. Tibbetts said.

The New York Times

In the '40s, the family was still marginal, living in the same third-floor walkup.

Forbes

Facing marginal living, social inequity and quasi-legal employment, will she find her way back to her old life or will she adapt and thrive?

Huffington Post

Like the pre-success Williams, the play's narrator, Tom Wingfield Joe Mantelloo), is a writer who earns a marginal living in a shoe factory.

The New Yorker

One fallout from the downturn is that people making a marginal living hauling these goods are being pushed to the brink, idling longer in truck stops like this, hoping to make ends meet.

The New York Times

That – and it's not so distant – was a world of ink and paper, whisky and cigarettes, jiffy bags and coffee, borrowed time, marginal living and threadbare subsistence dominated by day-to-day worries about typewriter ribbons, carbons and galley proofs.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

English writers were creatures of bedsits and basements, threadbare figures leading marginal lives.

The Guardian - Books

Some women drawn to extremism have disturbed backgrounds and marginal lives.

The Guardian

The walls and the castoff objects they contain have an aura of gritty poverty, evoking hard times and marginal lives.

The New York Times - Arts

Sick people living marginal lives, away from the stability that jobs, medication, parole officers can ensure, are more likely to offend again, not less.

The New York Times

Women, for all their apparent gains, still grapple with the prospect of marginal lives, with the commodification of their spirit, their bodies.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "marginal living", consider the specific aspect you want to emphasize: the lack of resources, the instability, or the struggle for survival. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

Common error

While "marginal living" is accurate, avoid using it as a way to soften the reality of extreme poverty. Be direct and clear about the severity of the situation when necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marginal living" primarily functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate a precarious or impoverished state of existence. It often highlights the instability and lack of resources associated with a particular way of life. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "marginal living" is a descriptor used to depict a precarious or impoverished existence, often characterized by instability and limited resources. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While not overly common, it appears across diverse sources, including news, scientific publications, and formal documents. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, choosing it when you want to emphasize the vulnerable and challenging nature of the living situation. While alternatives like "precarious existence" and "subsistence living" exist, "marginal living" offers a specific focus on the edge-of-survival aspect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precarious existence

Emphasizes the instability and uncertainty of the living situation.

impoverished circumstances

Highlights the lack of financial resources.

subsistence living

Focuses on the idea of barely having enough to survive.

struggling to make ends meet

Describes the ongoing effort to cover basic expenses.

living on the breadline

Indicates a life very close to the poverty line.

hand-to-mouth existence

Stresses the day-to-day struggle for survival.

living in poverty

A more general term for the state of being poor.

tenuous livelihood

Focuses on the fragility and uncertainty of the income source.

underprivileged conditions

Highlights the lack of advantages and opportunities.

deprived circumstances

Emphasizes the lack of essential resources and opportunities.

FAQs

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

You can use "marginal living" to describe a situation where individuals or communities struggle to meet their basic needs due to limited resources or unstable circumstances. For example: "Many families in the region are facing "marginal living" conditions after the factory closure."

What are some alternatives to "marginal living"?

Alternatives include "precarious existence", "subsistence living", or "living in poverty" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "marginal living" a formal or informal expression?

"Marginal living" is generally considered a neutral to somewhat formal expression, suitable for use in news reports, academic papers, and professional documents. More informal alternatives might include "struggling to make ends meet".

What distinguishes "marginal living" from "poverty"?

"Poverty" is a broad term for the state of being poor. "Marginal living" implies a state of existence where survival is constantly at stake, often due to instability or lack of access to essential resources. Thus, "marginal living" emphasizes the precariousness of the situation.