subsist

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "subsist" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or thing that exists or continues on just barely, especially with respect to the bare necessities of life. For example: "The family was able to subsist on canned goods and government assistance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But in the second way, 'immaterial' is said of subsistent forms forms that subsist without matter like angels or spiritual substances in general.

SEP

Italos' terminology here clearly shows the influence of the Christian Fathers, and in particular of John of Damascus, who in his Dialectica draws just this distinction between subsistences, things that subsist in something else, and things that do not subsist.

SEP

According to Italos, therefore, both subsistences and beings that subsist in something else are beings, and thus do not depend on mere thought.

SEP

We subsist happily with several varieties of e-coli living in our gut.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the enlargement of NATO and the EU is erecting a new border between east and west, Slovakia is placing itself decidedly on the eastern side.Still, it would be misleading to paint a picture of the Czechs gorging themselves on cherries while Slovaks subsist on the thinnest of gruel.

The Economist

More than two-fifths of all Africans still subsist on $1.25 a day.

The Economist

They figured that the demons would not be able to subsist by themselves.

The Economist

First, a huge expansion of open-ended welfare in the 1960s enabled mothers to subsist without work.

The Economist

If it was too wet to light a fire, they had to subsist on hardtack biscuits and cold sowbelly doused in vinegar.

The Economist

THE villagers of Dingjiayan subsist on corn, potatoes, sunflowers and the few vegetables they grow.

The Economist

That is based on the estimated market value of the fish and thatch they take to subsist, and the gums, oils and other goods they harvest for cash.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "subsist" to describe situations where individuals or communities maintain life at a minimal level, often due to limited resources or challenging circumstances. It accurately conveys the idea of surviving on the bare essentials.

Common error

Avoid using "subsist" when you mean simply "to live" or "to exist". "Subsist" carries a connotation of struggling to survive on minimal resources; using it in other contexts can be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "subsist" is as an intransitive verb. It describes the action of maintaining life or existence, especially under difficult conditions. Ludwig shows examples in which "subsist" is used to depict how people or organisms survive with limited resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "subsist" is a verb that describes the act of maintaining life or existence on minimal resources. As highlighted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in neutral to formal contexts such as news, science, and business. Ludwig AI indicates that the word is often used to depict how organisms or people manage to survive under challenging conditions. When writing, it's important to use "subsist" to accurately convey the struggle of surviving on the bare essentials.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get by

Implies managing to survive or cope with difficulty, often financially.

live on

Implies continuing to exist despite challenges or limitations.

eke out an existence

Highlights the struggle to survive with very limited resources.

scrape by

Emphasizes the difficulty and marginality of one's survival.

make a living

Focuses on the means by which one obtains the necessities for survival.

maintain oneself

Emphasizes the act of providing for one's own needs.

fend for oneself

Highlights the self-reliance needed to survive, often without assistance.

stay alive

Focuses on the basic act of remaining living, often in dangerous or challenging circumstances.

continue to live

A more literal and less nuanced way of expressing survival.

keep afloat

Describes maintaining solvency or viability, often in a business context.

FAQs

How can I use "subsist" in a sentence?

You can use "subsist" to describe living or existing on minimal resources. For example, "The refugees had to subsist on meager rations".

What are some alternatives to the word "subsist"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "survive", "get by", or "make a living".

What does it mean to say that something "subsists"?

When something "subsists", it means it continues to exist, often with minimal support or resources. It implies a state of just barely surviving or maintaining existence.

Is "subsist" a formal or informal word?

"Subsist" is generally considered a neutral to formal word. It is suitable for academic, journalistic, and professional writing.