survival

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "survival" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the act of continuing to live or exist, especially in challenging conditions. Example: "The survival of the species depends on its ability to adapt to changing environments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Science

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And, because it nominally funds Social Security and Medicare, some liberals regard its continuance as essential to the survival of those programs.

The Economist

A winner always remembers that his own survival is more important than maintaining the integrity of the democratic process.

The Guardian - Books

For Robinson, retention of his East Belfast seat is critical to his survival.

The Guardian

Eva Clarke continues the story of her mother's survival, and her own birth, to a rapt young audience, after which we drive through late winter sun to Eva's home in Cambridge, to which her mother recently moved from Cardiff.

The Guardian - Music

There was some bravery and some luck in survival.

The Guardian - Music

"Intolerance of corruption is essential to the survival of our representative democracy and way of life," he said.

The Guardian

Those standing on its ticket regard their best route to survival as emphasising their personal and local track records in individual constituencies rather than their role in a governing party.

The Guardian

There was another derby in the capital where Millwall eventually sprung to life in the final 10 minutes, overturning Charlton's lead at the New Den to pick up three points in their fight for survival.

The Guardian - Sport

Survival rates for other cancers, including breast, bowel and prostate, have gained ground after breakthroughs in detection, treatment and prevention.

The Guardian

The short oration, which begins, "Four score and seven years ago", is remembered as a momentous reflection on what the Civil War meant for the survival of United States and the viability of liberty.

The Guardian

This is the key question now facing Alasdair McDonnell and his embattled troops as they seek to carve out a survival strategy over the next few months: to be inside the tent or out; to offer the electorate something different other than crowing about the party's past record of promoting non-violent nationalism and historic compromise with unionism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "survival" to emphasize the act of continuing to live or exist, especially in challenging circumstances. This term is effective in discussions of both literal life-and-death situations and metaphorical struggles for existence, such as the "survival" of a business or idea.

Common error

Avoid using "survival" when simpler terms like 'existence' or 'continuation' would suffice. Overusing "survival" can create unnecessary drama in situations that do not involve significant risk or hardship.

Linguistic Context

The noun "survival" functions primarily to denote the act or state of continuing to live or exist, especially in the face of challenging circumstances. Ludwig AI indicates it’s used in contexts ranging from literal life-and-death scenarios to the metaphorical endurance of institutions or ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Politics

5%

Books

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "survival" is a widely used noun that describes the act of continuing to live or exist, often under difficult conditions. Ludwig AI confirms that the term is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, sports, and scientific contexts, emphasizing resilience and endurance. When writing, use "survival" to underscore the precariousness of a situation and the effort required to persist. However, be mindful of overusing it in non-critical contexts where simpler terms like "existence" or "continuation" might be more appropriate. Alternatives include "endurance", "existence", and "preservation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Be aware of the subtle difference between "survival" and "survivorship", which refers to the state of being a survivor, especially after a specific event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued existence

Emphasizes the state of existing without interruption.

sustained existence

Highlights the aspect of maintaining existence over a period.

endurance

Focuses on the ability to withstand hardship and continue.

preservation

Stresses the act of keeping something safe from harm or destruction.

perpetuation

Highlights making something continue indefinitely.

maintenance

Focuses on keeping something in good condition to ensure its continuation.

sustainment

Emphasizes providing what is needed for something to continue.

living on

A more informal way of expressing continued existence.

making it through

An idiomatic expression for successfully navigating a difficult situation.

getting by

Implies managing to live despite difficulties or lack of resources.

FAQs

How is the term "survival" typically used in sentences?

The term "survival" is commonly used as a noun to describe the state or act of continuing to live or exist, often under difficult conditions. For example, "The species' "survival" depends on adapting to climate change."

What are some alternatives to the word "survival"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "endurance", "existence", "preservation", or "sustenance".

In what contexts is the word "survival" most appropriate?

"Survival" is best suited for situations involving a struggle to continue living or existing. This includes discussions of natural disasters, economic hardships, and personal crises. Using "existence" or "continuation" might be more appropriate in less critical scenarios.

What's the difference between "survival" and "survivorship"?

"Survival" refers to the act or state of continuing to live, while "survivorship" often refers to the state of being a survivor, especially after a specific event like cancer. "Survivorship" also encompasses the experiences and challenges faced by survivors.