not existing

USAGE SUMMARY

"not existing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe something that does not currently exist. Example: "The unicorn is a mythical creature, not existing in reality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If a being is capable of not existing, then there is a time at which it does not exist.

Britannica

If indeed the state of not existing is no worse than that of experiencing the benefits of existence, then, since existing invariably brings harm in its wake, existing is always a net harm compared to not existing.

SEP

It was not existing at all".

The New York Times - Sports

I said, "I'm afraid of not existing".

The New Yorker

"There is a fear of not existing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And if they don't, they risk not existing.

The New York Times

But then fame came, and it was not existing".

The New York Times

Not being online today is akin to not existing.

The New York Times

when the error is due to the file not existing.

Stanford University

Moreover, the EU has barred future, not existing, defence deals.

The Economist

In general, agents say they worry most about new business, not existing deals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair the phrase with contrasting terms like "already existing" or "newly existing" to create clear distinctions in business and policy writing.

Common error

While both are occasionally seen, "not existing" is significantly more common in high-quality prose. Avoid using "non-existing" as a hyphenated adjective unless you are certain it is the standard term in your specific technical field.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not existing" primarily functions as a negative present participle phrase. In the examples provided by Ludwig, it often serves as a predicative complement or an adjunct describing the state of a subject. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and its frequent role in defining the boundary between being and non-being.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

4%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not existing" is a robust and grammatically sound phrase used extensively across high-level journalism, science and philosophy. Ludwig AI highlights that it is the preferred way to describe the state of something that lacks existence, especially when used in comparisons or as part of a gerund phrase. While "non-existent" is a common adjectival alternative, "not existing" offers more flexibility in complex sentence structures. It is particularly valuable in academic writing when discussing potentiality, void or the absence of evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

non-existent

Changes the participle into a standard adjective and is often more concise

not extant

Adds a more formal or academic tone, specifically referring to surviving documents or species

nonexistence

Uses the noun form to describe the state itself rather than a condition

not being

A more ontological or philosophical variation focusing on the state of being

absent

Focuses on the lack of presence in a specific location or context

not present

Slightly more literal and often used in observational or scientific reporting

not occurring

Specific to events, processes or phenomena rather than physical objects

missing

Implies that the thing should be there but is not

lacking

Emphasizes the deficiency or the absence of a specific quality

void

Suggests a complete emptiness or legal invalidity

FAQs

How do I use "not existing" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a state of being, such as: "There is a deep-seated human fear of "not existing" after death."

What is the difference between "not existing" and "non-existent"?

While "non-existent" is a standard adjective, "not existing" functions as a participle phrase often used to describe the act or state of being absent. For example, "the problem of the file "not existing"" is more natural in technical contexts than "non-existent file problem".

Is "not existing" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is widely used in academic and philosophical contexts. For a more formal alternative regarding objects or documents, you might consider "not extant".

Can I use "absent" instead of "not existing"?

Yes, if you are referring to something that is missing from a specific place. You could say "absent" or "not present" depending on the scientific or casual tone you wish to strike.