survived off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "survived off" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "survived on," which indicates reliance on something for sustenance or support. Example: "During the harsh winter, they survived on whatever food they could find."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

My first year as a professional runner, I survived off family support, waitressing, and gear from my sponsor.

The New Yorker

He gave up his Lotus for an Austin Maxi and survived off a stipend from the Navigators and savings from his previous career.

The Guardian - Film

For the first week, they survived off the food in her kitchen, which was more ample than usual because she had happened to go grocery shopping the morning before the earthquake.

The New York Times

People here survived off small farms hewed from the mountainsides at an altitude of 11,000 feet, and dividing property among several sons would leave each with too little land to feed a family.

The New York Times

It was chosen because it had survived off Norway for half-a-dozen years without falling apart.

BBC

"If Hitler had invaded, up to eight men would have lived in bases similar to this and they would have survived off the land and their rations.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

She can deck a man and survive off the land.

The New Yorker

"I have no doubt he was surviving off the land".

The New York Times

Jazz continues to survive off casinos by doing "one hustle or another", as he put it.

The Guardian

Right now I'm surviving off samples my doctor can give me".

The New York Times

"We can't survive off this," said Bile Qabowsade, a Puntland official.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "survived off" in formal writing. Instead, use the correct phrase "survived on" or alternatives such as "lived on" or "subsisted on" to ensure grammatical accuracy.

Common error

The preposition "off" implies separation or removal, while "on" suggests reliance or source. Using "survived off" implies surviving by getting rid of something, which is not the intended meaning. Remember to use "on" to indicate what provided sustenance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "survived off" is a phrasal verb that attempts to describe the means by which someone or something remained alive. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "survived on".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academic

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "survived off" appears in various online sources, including news articles, it's crucial to recognize that it's grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form is "survived on". The intended meaning is to describe how someone or something managed to remain alive by relying on specific resources. Therefore, for accurate and effective communication, especially in formal writing, it's best to avoid "survived off" and opt for "survived on" or alternative phrases like "lived on", "subsisted on", or "depended on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lived on

Suggests reliance on something as a primary source of sustenance. This is a more grammatically sound alternative.

subsisted on

Implies surviving with minimal resources. Similar to 'lived on' but emphasizes scarcity.

depended on

Highlights reliance on something or someone for support. Broader than just sustenance.

relied on

Similar to 'depended on', but with a slightly less formal tone.

made do with

Indicates managing to survive with limited resources or suboptimal conditions.

got by on

Suggests managing to survive, often with difficulty. Less formal than 'subsisted on'.

eked out a living with

Implies a struggle to survive, often involving hard work or ingenuity to gain sustenance.

scraped by on

Similar to 'eked out a living with', but emphasizing the difficulty and scarcity of resources.

were sustained by

Focuses on the sustaining element, often used in a passive voice to emphasize the source of support.

drew sustenance from

A more formal and literary way of saying 'obtained nourishment from'.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "survived off"?

The correct preposition to use is "on", so the correct phrase is "survived on". For example, "They survived on the food they could find".

What does "survived on" mean?

"Survived on" means to continue to live or exist, especially in difficult conditions, by using a particular source or means of support.

Is there a difference between "survived on" and "lived on"?

While similar, "survived on" often implies enduring hardship or scarcity, whereas "lived on" simply indicates a primary source of sustenance or income. You can use alternatives like "subsisted on" or "depended on" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "survived on"?

You can use alternatives such as "lived on", "subsisted on", "depended on", or "relied on", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.