mere existence

USAGE SUMMARY

"mere existence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about something existing, but with no other purpose or importance. For example, "The mere existence of poverty in our society is an affront to justice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Its mere existence makes it too common.

The Guardian

But its mere existence is a sensation.

The New York Times

His mere existence is a comment upon its abiding hopes.

The New Yorker

Its mere existence indicated how far aeronautics had advanced.

The New Yorker

On one end is the mere existence of racial bias.

The New York Times

His mere existence had turned on her lights.

The New Yorker

Mere existence can be a crime in Minsk.

The Guardian

But best of all was the film's mere existence.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

United were enraged by the mere existence of the opener.

The Guardian - Sport

Their lives should have greater meaning now than mere existence.

The New Yorker

It may be significant less for its details than for its mere existence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mere existence" to underscore that something's presence, not necessarily its quality or impact, is significant. For instance, "The "mere existence" of a community garden can improve neighborhood morale."

Common error

Avoid using "mere existence" when you actually want to emphasize importance or impact. The phrase is meant to highlight the basic fact of something existing, not its profound effects. Instead of saying "The "mere existence" of the program transformed lives," consider "The program significantly transformed lives."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mere existence" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It emphasizes the state of simply being, as Ludwig illustrates, focusing on the fact that something exists, rather than its qualities or actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "mere existence" is a phrase used to emphasize the simple fact that something exists, often implying that this fact alone is significant. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's a noun phrase commonly found in neutral contexts such as news and media, science, and encyclopedias. When using the phrase, be sure that the emphasis is truly on the existence and not on any associated qualities or impacts. While alternatives like "simple existence" or "bare existence" exist, "mere existence" itself carries a unique weight of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple existence

Emphasizes the uncomplicated nature of the existence, removing any complexities.

bare existence

Highlights the fundamental and unadorned nature of existing, implying a lack of additional elements.

sheer being

Focuses on the state of 'being' itself, with 'sheer' amplifying the completeness of that state.

basic reality

Shifts the focus to the fundamental truth or fact of something existing.

plain living

Underscores a life without luxury or extravagance, focusing on just getting by.

fundamental presence

Highlights presence as a base element, similar to existence.

elemental form

Indicates existence in a basic, irreducible state.

underlying subsistence

Implies a foundational level of support or maintenance of life.

state of survival

Highlights that living is limited to the basic requirement to continue to exist.

minimum footprint

Shows the intent to leave little to no effect on anything.

FAQs

How can I use "mere existence" in a sentence?

Use "mere existence" to emphasize the simple fact that something exists, often implying that this fact alone is significant. For example, "The "mere existence" of the law provides some protection."

What are some alternatives to "mere existence"?

Alternatives include "simple existence", "bare existence", or "sheer being". The choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "mere existence"?

It's appropriate when you want to highlight that the fact of something existing is noteworthy, even if it doesn't have other significant qualities or impacts. For instance, "The "mere existence" of the museum enriches the cultural life of the city."

What's the difference between "mere existence" and "simple existence"?

"Mere existence" often carries a connotation of surprise or emphasis on the basic fact, while "simple existence" is more neutral and descriptive. You might use "mere existence" when the fact of existing is unexpected or particularly important.