sheer existence

USAGE SUMMARY

"sheer existence" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when speaking about something that is evident or plainly visible. For example, "Her sheer existence filled the room with hope."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

'Before Midnight,' because of its sheer existence, ends up being about the passage of  time.

The New York Times

The sheer existence of "The Master" is reflective of the aesthetic expansiveness of American movies, which contain multitudes — along with, you know, garbage.

The New York Times

Of the many ways America has been unique, the sheer existence of roiling linguistic diversity has not been one of them.

The New York Times - Books

Rather than focusing on the nature of specific complaints over time, is there anything to be understood from considering the sheer existence, or magnitude, of complaining in New York?

The New York Times

What the city objected to was the sheer existence of the playhouses and the social consequences of any form of theatricality accessible to such a broad spectrum of the population.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this respect, it is not totally different from making a judgment, for example, that Beckett is a great playwright, the war against Iraq was wrong or the sheer existence of the universe is awesome.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

(Though how much pain and anxiety and sheer disrupted existence are covered over in the words "then emigrated"!) Two thoughts, not strictly political but social, come to mind as one exits the museum: First, that the Weimar Republic gets a very bad rap for how it ended and insufficient credit for how much creative ferment and intelligent thought it contained.

The New Yorker

In this movie, story is less important than sheer being, the moment-by-moment activity of life, which, in a metaphysical coup, becomes part of the endless flux of existence.

The New Yorker

Worst: the traffic, the sheer non-existence of pedestrian facilities, the public transportation system, the pollution, the heat".

The Guardian

The Dean said: "Stephen showed the sheer joy of existence in everything he touched, from being an A-star student at school with hopes of a career in medicine, to playing football, running cross country or playing the drums with his band Nothing Personal.

The Guardian

In terms of sheer scale, the existence of Wikipedia has helped popularise the notion that the internet is awash with seemingly infinite information.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sheer existence" to emphasize that something's mere presence has a significant impact or is surprising in itself. For example, "The sheer existence of the program provided hope to the community."

Common error

Avoid using "sheer existence" when a simpler term like "existence" or "presence" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sheer existence" functions as a noun phrase that emphasizes the remarkable or surprising nature of something's mere presence. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is used to highlight the impact derived solely from something existing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sheer existence" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the remarkable or surprising nature of something's mere presence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used, with a neutral tone. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When writing, remember to use it to highlight the impact derived solely from something existing, but avoid overuse to prevent your writing from sounding repetitive. Related phrases include "mere existence" and "simple existence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mere existence

Focuses on the basic fact of existing, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly different emphasis on simplicity.

simple existence

Emphasizes the simplicity of the fact that something exists, rather than the impressive or surprising nature of its existence.

plain existence

Highlights the obvious and unremarkable nature of something's existence.

basic existence

Refers to the fundamental condition of being, underlining the rudimentary aspect of existence.

very existence

Emphasizes the actuality of existing, frequently used to highlight the importance or precariousness of its state.

actual existence

Highlights the reality of something's presence, contrasting with hypothetical or potential existence.

real existence

Underlines that something genuinely exists, differing from what may be perceived or imagined.

raw existence

Conveys existence in its most unadulterated and fundamental form.

undeniable existence

Stresses that the existence of something cannot be disputed or denied.

evident existence

Points out that something's existence is clearly visible or easily perceived.

FAQs

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

You can use "sheer existence" to emphasize that something's very presence is remarkable or has a significant effect. For example, "The sheer existence of the historical document confirmed the long-disputed theory."

What phrases are similar to "sheer existence"?

Similar phrases include "mere existence", "simple existence", or "plain existence", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "sheer existence"?

While "existence" alone can often suffice, "sheer existence" adds emphasis to the surprising or impactful nature of something's presence. It's not inherently redundant if used purposefully.

When should I use "sheer existence" over just "existence"?

Use "sheer existence" when you want to highlight that the very fact of something existing is significant, surprising, or impactful. For example, a rare artifact's sheer existence might be more important than its specific details.