surviving off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'surviving off' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use 'surviving off' when referring to an individual or group using a particular thing as a means to stay alive. For example: "The small village has been surviving off of fishing catches for generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

Famished villagers were huddled in ramshackle houses, surviving off raw carrots and hard, unripe papayas.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

Some of the children remember surviving off the scraps of the American troops.

The Guardian

When he made it home, after surviving off leaves for several days, his father whacked him with a stick.

The New York Times

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

The New York Times

But Mrs. Yebiye described the rebel fighters as very adept in the bush, surviving off little food and filthy water.

The New York Times

Sullivan has come a long way from living in a hotel, surviving off tuna fish and turkey, too weak to breastfeed.

The Guardian

But Willy is also a failing salesman reduced to surviving off commission and, in a crucial scene, abruptly sidelined by his machine-obsessed young boss.

The Guardian

They take out daily charters and sleep aboard the Cricket, with its lumpy cushions and cramped quarters, surviving off sandwiches packed in ice in a small cooler.

The New York Times

I managed to live very cheaply, surviving off savings (a strong pound against the NZ dollar helped) and the occasional short-term job.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surviving off", ensure you clearly specify the resource or means that enables survival. For example, "The refugees are surviving off food donations."

Common error

Avoid using "surviving off" without specifying what is providing sustenance. Saying "They are surviving off" is incomplete and lacks clarity; always include the source.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surviving off" functions as a prepositional phrase that describes the means by which someone or something is able to continue living, highlighting the source of sustenance. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment that the phrase is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "surviving off" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase that describes the means of sustenance. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and practical usage. It is primarily found in news and media contexts and can be employed across various registers, though maintaining clarity about the source of sustenance is crucial. While alternatives like "subsisting on" or "living on" exist, "surviving off" effectively conveys the idea of sustaining life through a specific resource.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subsisting on

Focuses on the basic level of sustenance with minimal resources.

existing on

Focuses on the act of continuing to live using specific means.

living on

Implies a longer-term or more stable arrangement for sustenance.

depending on for survival

Emphasizes the reliance on something for continued existence.

relying on for sustenance

Emphasizes dependence on a specific source to provide what is needed to live.

making do with

Highlights resourcefulness and adapting to limited options.

getting by with

Highlights managing to live despite scarce resources.

thriving on

Suggests not just surviving, but prospering, from the specified resource.

drawing sustenance from

Highlights the extraction of necessary resources for survival.

feeding on

Specifically refers to food or nourishment as a source of survival.

FAQs

How do you use "surviving off" in a sentence?

Use "surviving off" to describe how someone or something is managing to stay alive by using a specific resource. For example, "The hikers were "surviving off" berries and stream water after getting lost."

What can I say instead of "surviving off"?

You can use alternatives like "subsisting on", "living on", or "relying on" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "surviving from" instead of "surviving off"?

While "surviving from" might be understood, ""surviving off"" is the more idiomatic and commonly used preposition to indicate the source of sustenance.

What is the difference between "surviving on" and "surviving off"?

Both "surviving on" and ""surviving off"" can be used to mean the same thing. However, "surviving off" often implies directly utilizing a resource, while "surviving on" can also imply a more abstract reliance or basis.