survive off of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "survive off of" can be used in written English.
It means to obtain the resources necessary for life or to maintain a certain state by relying on something or someone. For example, "The family was able to survive off of their savings during the long job search."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"We survive off of locals.

The New York Times - Travel

They now survive off of their small holding and the little food it brings.

The Guardian

Today, pastures have dried up, and the animals that Somali nomads survive off of are dying in droves.

The New York Times

Sure, Star Trek's audience may be willing to pay, but a service can't survive off of one hit series alone.

TechCrunch

Sure, Star Trek's audience may be willing to pay, but a service can't survive off of one hit series alone.

TechCrunch

Would they starve to death, or would they survive off of the social safety net our government provides, like food stamps?

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

The scant rains have meant that many people are surviving off of dirty, germ-infested water, which is how cholera spreads.

The New York Times

The European and Canadian artists are surviving off of stipends from their respective countries, and the American artists are surviving off of grants from their moms.

Vice

VICE News spoke previously with several Madaya locals who are surviving off of leaves and scraps.

Vice

VICE News spoke with several Madaya locals who are surviving off of leaves and scraps.

Vice

I would have lived in borderline condemned housing, and survived off of crackers and popsicles to maintain my independence.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "survive on" instead of "survive off of" when you want to sound more formal.

Common error

Avoid using "survive off of" when a simpler alternative like "live on" or "depend on" would suffice. Overuse can make writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "survive off of" functions as a verb phrase with a preposition, indicating the means by which someone or something is sustained. Ludwig shows it's commonly used to describe how people, economies, or even animals manage to live.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "survive off of" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes how someone or something obtains the resources necessary to live or continue functioning. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. It appears most frequently in News & Media. While it's considered acceptable, consider opting for "survive on" for brevity or more formal contexts. Alternatives include "live on", "depend on", or "rely on". Be mindful of potential redundancy and strive for concise writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

live on

Focuses on the act of subsisting on a particular food or resource. The wording is simpler.

depend on

Emphasizes reliance on something or someone for support. It is broader and does not necessarily imply sustenance.

rely on

Similar to "depend on", but can also refer to trusting something for a specific purpose.

subsist on

Highlights a basic level of survival, often implying limited resources or hardship. It sounds more formal.

feed on

Specifically refers to consuming something for nourishment, often used in the context of animals or diets.

thrive on

Suggests not just surviving, but flourishing or excelling because of something. Conveys the idea of positive benefit.

be sustained by

Implies that something is maintaining or supporting something else. It sounds more passive and formal.

draw sustenance from

A more literary or formal way of saying "get nourishment from". It sounds less common.

get by on

Suggests managing to survive with limited resources or difficulty. Implies that something is not good but you don't have other options.

maintain oneself on

Emphasizes the action of preserving your life or state. It sounds quite formal and unusual.

FAQs

How can I use "survive off of" in a sentence?

You can use "survive off of" to indicate what someone or something relies on to live or continue functioning. For example, "The business managed to survive off of loans during the economic downturn."

What is a more formal way to say "survive off of"?

Alternatives like "subsist on" or "depend on" can provide a more formal tone than "survive off of".

Is it better to use "survive on" or "survive off of"?

Both "survive on" and "survive off of" are acceptable, but "survive on" is generally considered more concise and often preferred in formal writing. The addition of "of" doesn't significantly change the meaning.

What's the difference between "survive off of" and "thrive on"?

"Survive off of" implies just managing to live, while "thrive on" indicates flourishing or benefiting significantly from something. "Survive" is about mere existence; "thrive" is about excelling.