physically exist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "physically exist" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the tangible presence of an object or entity in the physical world. Example: "The ancient artifacts physically exist in the museum, allowing visitors to connect with history."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Thedeacon does not physically exist, of course.

The New York Times - Tech

Rubi-Ka does not physically exist, either.

The New York Times - Tech

It is only with a mental effort than you remind yourself that this cannot physically exist.

The Guardian - Film

How Does a Museum Buy an Artwork That Doesn't Physically Exist?

The New York Times

Entanglement-at-a-distance does physically exist, in the sense that it has physically verifiable (and verified) consequences.

The Guardian

Impossible objects are a type of optical illusion involving ambiguous visual descriptions of figures that cannot physically exist.

Computers & Graphics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

It is not a concrete object that physically exists.

Journal of Cheminformatics

Until, that is, you remember that everything that physically exists must be inherently quantum in nature.

Forbes

Until you remember one important caveat that we've ignored thus far: everything that physically exists, including all particles and fields, must be inherently quantum in nature.

Forbes

The Universe – by definition, everything that physically exists – should either be infinite in age, or somehow tied to the lifespan of the human species, as it does in many mythologies.

BBC

The only difference between Bitcoin No. ABC123 and $1 Bill No. L88793293J is that at the end of the day, the $1 bill physically exists and has a face value that is worth something, i.e., Fred could take the $1 bill and buy something off the $1 menu at McDonalds.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "physically exist" to clearly distinguish between abstract concepts, virtual entities, or theoretical possibilities and their concrete counterparts. For example, "While the plan sounded good on paper, the resources to execute it did not physically exist."

Common error

Avoid using "physically exist" when simply referring to whether something is real or not, especially in abstract discussions. For instance, instead of saying 'Does justice physically exist?', consider rephrasing to 'Does justice truly exist?' or 'Is justice real?'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "physically exist" functions as a verb phrase that specifies the mode of existence. It modifies the verb "exist" to emphasize the tangible, concrete nature of the subject's presence. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "physically exist" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase, utilized to underscore the tangible presence of a subject in the real world, differentiating it from abstract or virtual concepts. According to Ludwig, it’s deemed correct and appropriate across various contexts. Its prevalence in news, science, and academic domains indicates a neutral to formal register. When writing, use "physically exist" to ensure clarity when contrasting tangible realities with theoretical or virtual entities. Alternatives such as "have a physical form" or "exist in reality" can provide nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have a physical form

Emphasizes the tangible shape or structure of something.

be materially present

Highlights the concrete presence of something in the physical world.

exist in reality

Focuses on the actual existence of something as opposed to being imagined or theoretical.

be tangibly present

Stresses the ability to perceive something through touch or other senses.

manifest physically

Indicates the outward appearance or demonstration of something in a physical way.

be concretely embodied

Suggests that something abstract has been given a definite, physical form.

have a tangible presence

Highlights the perceptible and concrete nature of something.

be physically embodied

Focuses on the physical representation or incarnation of something.

exist in the material world

Emphasizes the existence of something within the physical realm.

be empirically verifiable

Focuses on the ability to confirm the existence of something through observation and experiment.

FAQs

What does "physically exist" mean?

The phrase "physically exist" refers to something having a tangible presence in the real world, as opposed to being merely a concept, idea, or virtual entity.

How can I use "physically exist" in a sentence?

You can use "physically exist" to emphasize the concrete presence of something. For example: "The ancient artifacts "have a physical form" in the museum, allowing visitors to connect with history."

What are some alternatives to "physically exist"?

Alternatives include "be materially present", "exist in reality", or "have a tangible presence", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say something "physically exists"?

While the word "exist" implies reality, using "physically exist" can provide emphasis and clarity when distinguishing between the abstract and the concrete. It's useful when discussing concepts that might be considered theoretical or virtual.