surviving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surviving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing endurance, continuation, or existence despite challenges or difficulties. Example: "The species has been surviving in harsh conditions for decades."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was Pulis who oversaw safety last term, his No1 praising the "organisation" instilled in a squad who made history by surviving a Premier League campaign for the first time since the elite were revamped.

The Guardian - Sport

If Pearce is still in charge come next Saturday's match against high-flying Derby County, it is hard to imagine him surviving a beating at the hands of the Rams.

The Guardian - Sport

The father of the woman at the centre of the controversy told the court on Tuesday: "My daughter is dead, the chances of the foetus surviving are minimal, we have been told.

The Guardian

All the medical experts who gave evidence in the case earlier this week said the chances of the unborn child surviving were minimal.

The Guardian

Advances in medicine mean that the number of people surviving brain injuries is increasing.

The Guardian

The story shifts to the US and centres on the surviving brother, who has married his brother's wife, each living fractured lives within impermeable carapaces.

The Guardian - Books

Most prominent was Queen Charlotte, born in 1744 and the long-suffering wife of Mad King George George IIIII – with whom she had 15 children, with 13 surviving.

The Guardian

Their story is narrated by Merricat, the younger of two surviving sisters.

The Guardian - Books

"This change has righted a wrong in the tax system which was the source of deep frustration and additional cost for surviving spouses," he said.

The Guardian - Money

The surviving victim and the suspect were still hospitalised on Friday.

The Guardian

Clustering isn't the only way to understand the trends in big data; exotic mathematical functions can snake through the clouds predicting changes over time, populations of complex mathematical rule sets can be evolved with only the best surviving.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing resilience in challenging circumstances, use "surviving" to convey the act of continuing to exist despite adversity. For instance, "The company is "surviving" the economic downturn by adapting its business model."

Common error

Avoid using "surviving" when a more neutral term like "existing" or "remaining" would be more appropriate. "Surviving" implies a struggle, so it's unsuitable for contexts where there's no adversity. Instead of "The old traditions are "surviving"", consider saying "The old traditions are existing".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "surviving" is that of a present participle or gerund. As a present participle, it often modifies a noun or pronoun, adding information about an ongoing action. As a gerund, it functions as a noun. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "surviving" functions primarily as a verb participle or gerund, indicating the act of continuing to exist amidst challenges. Ludwig AI confirms that "surviving" is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts. While versatile, it's best reserved for situations involving adversity, to avoid overusing it in place of more neutral terms like "existing" or "remaining". Related terms include "enduring", "persisting", and "withstanding", each offering a slightly different nuance. When writing about resilience and endurance, "surviving" is a powerful and appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enduring

Focuses on the act of bearing hardship or difficulty, a subtle shift from simply continuing to exist.

persisting

Emphasizes continued existence or effort despite obstacles, implying a more active continuation.

remaining

Highlights the state of being left or staying behind after others have ceased to be or exist.

withstanding

Implies resisting or opposing something successfully, adding a layer of active defense.

navigating

Focuses on skillfully dealing with a challenging situation to come out successfully, implying active maneuvering.

prevailing

Suggests ultimately winning or being victorious after a struggle, adding a sense of triumph.

making it through

An idiomatic expression that stresses the successful completion of a difficult period or experience.

getting through

Similar to "making it through" but slightly less emphatic, focusing on the process of overcoming.

outlasting

Implies existing or continuing for a longer time than something else, focusing on comparative duration.

weathering

Suggests enduring a storm or other adverse conditions, often used metaphorically.

FAQs

How can I use "surviving" in a sentence?

You can use "surviving" to describe continuing to exist or function despite difficult conditions. For example, "The business is "surviving" the recession" or "The plant species is "surviving" in the harsh desert environment".

What are some alternatives to "surviving"?

Alternatives to "surviving" include "enduring", "persisting", "remaining", and "withstanding". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "surviving" versus "living"?

"Surviving" implies facing and overcoming challenges to continue living or existing, while "living" simply describes the state of being alive. Use "surviving" when there's an element of struggle or adversity. If no struggle is present then just use "living".

Is "surviving" more formal or informal?

"Surviving" is generally neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it carries a slightly heavier emotional weight due to its implication of struggle. Consider the emotional tone you want to convey when choosing between "surviving" and more neutral alternatives.