survived

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "survived" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something has continued to live or exist, especially after a difficult situation or event. Example: "After the storm, many homes were damaged, but the community survived and rebuilt together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He is survived by his wife and children.

The Guardian

She is survived by her beloved husband, Dr. Irwin Cohen.

The New York Times

He is survived by his wife, Pamela, and a daughter, Maidei.

The New York Times

On a composite "healthy lives" score, which includes deaths among infants and patients who would have survived had they received timely and effective healthcare, the UK came 10th.

The Guardian

Miraculously, he survived the twin explosions, believed to be the work of Islamist insurgents Boko Haram, that left at least 123 dead.

The Guardian

GWYNETH PALTROW'S GOING TO SEE MY BITS!!!" After Olley survived exposure to fashionistas while naked in a confined space with flying moths ("I wanted my knickers back on pronto"), she ran across Isabella Blow.

The Guardian - Arts

Gregg and McParland are two of five players who are still alive from the Northern Ireland side that played in the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden and Gregg, too, survived the Munich disaster.

The Guardian - Sport

Reid tells me he has been pleased to see the snowdrops and helle­bores that she planted have survived the recent snow.

The Guardian - Books

The non-avian dinosaurs were killed off completely, but others survived and became the direct ancestors of birds.

The Guardian

Since 2001 the group has survived successive crackdowns announced by Pakistani authorities.

The Guardian

Columnists are employed to grab interest rather than decide things, but Gove's stridency on world affairs survived his 2005 move into parliament.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "survived" to describe historical events or practices that have managed to continue despite challenges or opposition. This shows resilience and adaptability over time.

Common error

Avoid using "survived" when a simpler verb like "lived" or "existed" would be more appropriate. Overusing "survived" can make your writing sound overly dramatic or imply a struggle where none exists.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "survived" is as a verb, typically in the past tense. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that someone or something has remained alive or continued to exist, especially after facing a perilous situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "survived" functions primarily as a verb indicating that something or someone has lived or continued to exist after a dangerous situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Predominantly found in "News & Media", the phrase is considered to have a neutral register, suitable for a range of formal and informal communications. The examples demonstrate a broad application, from describing individuals who outlived others to organizations that successfully adapted to major changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lived through

Implies direct experience and emergence from a difficult event.

remained alive

States a simple fact of continuing to live, often after a life-threatening event.

endured

Highlights the act of bearing hardship or suffering with patience.

pulled through

Indicates recovery from a serious illness or injury.

came through

Emphasizes successfully overcoming a difficult experience or situation.

withstood

Highlights the ability to resist the effects of something damaging or unpleasant.

persisted

Focuses on continuing to exist or operate despite obstacles.

outlasted

Implies living or existing longer than someone or something else.

made it through

A more casual way of saying someone successfully completed a challenging experience

weathered the storm

Suggests successfully navigating a turbulent or challenging period.

FAQs

How can I use "survived" in a sentence?

You can use "survived" to indicate that someone or something has continued to live or exist, especially after a difficult situation or event. For example, "The company "survived" the recession by adapting to new market conditions".

What can I say instead of "survived"?

You can use alternatives like "endured", "persisted", or "came through" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "survived by" in writing?

It is most appropriate to use "survived by" in obituaries or memorial pieces when listing the relatives of the deceased who are still living. For instance, "She is "survived" by her husband and two children".

What's the difference between "survived" and "outlasted"?

"Survived" generally means to remain alive or in existence, especially after a dangerous event. "Outlasted", however, implies living or existing longer than someone or something else.