survive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "survive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of continuing to live or exist, especially in difficult conditions. Example: "Many species have adapted to their environments in order to survive the harsh climate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Even the angel Gabriel would struggle to survive with that hanging over his head.

The Guardian

We are now consulting regarding potential legal action and hoping against hope that the 12 libraries being thrown over to the community with the threat of volunteer-or-lose-it, will survive long enough for the future council members to realise their costly error and resume running this vital social and educational service.

The Guardian - Books

The only way to survive was to convince the brain to be satisfied with the tiny bit of air it got The plane was in the air.

The Guardian

Yet the coalition endured the past year, and is most likely to survive 2013 as well, if only because its very unpopularity gives the Tories and the Lib Dems a mutual interest in avoiding an early election.

The Guardian - Opinion

Musicians need to survive, and there's precious little money around.

The Guardian - Music

MAD playing in the minds of political strategists on either side of the border might just ensure that the two fragile coalitions in Dublin and Belfast survive for longer than many expected.

The Guardian

He was not disappointed: "You have to go through that to be effective as a manager (you cannot reasonably ask anyone to do something you would not)." But he left when he was also placed on crew wages, "which was not enough for me to survive on at the time – which is why I left.

The Guardian - Money

Can it survive beyond glorious declarations or official pronouncements?

The Guardian

Johan does, of course, survive, having desperately tried to prevent the deaths he knew would come.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Most survive on a day-to-day basis.

The Guardian

If left unprotected, they often survive, but emerge late and fail to flower properly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "survive" to convey the idea of overcoming a life-threatening situation or enduring extremely difficult circumstances. It suggests a successful passage through adversity.

Common error

Avoid using "survive" when a simpler verb like "live" or "exist" would suffice. "Survive" implies a significant challenge or threat that has been overcome. Do not use it when there's no risk or threat to overcome.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "survive" is as an intransitive verb, indicating the act of continuing to live or exist, especially under adverse conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "survive" is a verb that aptly describes the act of continuing to live or exist, often under challenging conditions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It carries a neutral tone, suitable for various contexts, primarily found in news and media. The word emphasizes resilience and is often used to express overcoming difficult or life-threatening situations. While grammatically sound and widely used, it's important to reserve "survive" for situations where genuine adversity is present. To ensure clarity and precision, consider alternatives like "endure" or "persist" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain alive

Focuses specifically on continuing to live, applicable to living beings.

continue to exist

Emphasizes the persistence of something, whether tangible or intangible.

endure hardship

Highlights the ability to withstand difficult conditions over a period of time.

weather the storm

Uses a metaphorical expression to convey overcoming a crisis or challenge.

pull through

Suggests successfully recovering from an illness or difficult situation.

outlast adversity

Implies surpassing a period of misfortune or difficulty.

live through

Indicates experiencing something difficult and surviving it.

make it through

Simple and direct way of saying succeeding in overcoming a challenge.

withstand difficulties

Highlights the capacity to resist and not be overcome by problems.

persevere through

Emphasizes continued effort and determination in the face of obstacles.

FAQs

How can I use "survive" in a sentence?

"Survive" can be used to describe the act of continuing to live or exist, especially in difficult conditions. For example, "Many species have adapted to their environments in order to "survive" the harsh climate."

What are some alternatives to the word "survive"?

You can use alternatives like "endure", "persist", or "withstand" depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "survive from" instead of "survive on"?

While "survive from" might be used in some contexts, "survive on" is generally more common and grammatically sound when referring to the means by which someone or something stays alive. For example, "They "survive" on a minimal income."

What does it mean when we say a business "survived the recession"?

When a business is said to have "survived the recession", it means that the business managed to continue operating and avoid failing during a period of economic downturn. This implies that the business faced significant challenges and difficulties but was able to "survive" through them.