sustain existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustain existence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the maintenance of life, survival, or the continuation of being. Example: "In order to thrive in this harsh environment, we must find ways to sustain existence despite the challenges we face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The report says they described conditions that matched the Victorian definition of sweated labour: "when earnings were barely sufficient to sustain existence, hours of labour were such as to make lives of workers periods of ceaseless toil; and conditions were injurious to the health of workers and dangerous to the public".

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As a result, factors affecting accumulation of livestock assets and access and claim to grazing lands have direct implication on pastoralists' sustained existence (Chambers and Conway 1991).

Ecological Processes

In an earlier post (Re-imagining God in the 21st Century), I wrote that I view God as the creative source that continuously sustains existence.

HuffPost

"The nature of digital culture seems to encourage niche-ification but it seems to be harder for a convergence of energy around something that has any kind of long-term, sustained existence," says Reynolds.

Vice

We know this to be true and it causes me to sound the alarm to remind us of the awesome responsibility we have as educators to ensure that we not only properly train great practitioners but also infuse them with a greater awareness of the negative implications of a sustained existence of stress, worry, and sleep deprivation.

HuffPost

Combining these two observations suggests the sustained existence of Nox1active even if it might have a low concentration.

BMC Systems Biology

In truth, the Redeemed came to America because this is where the money is, and because American freedoms allow all religions — even the most bizarre — not only to exist but to sustain their existence by exemption from taxes.

The New York Times

She claimed that it was the business elite who sustain our existence but in reality it is the world that holds up people like Rand and enables them to pursue their selfish aims despite the harm it may do to everyone else; if anything, it is Rand who should have been more grateful.

Huffington Post

For them, Tennyson's "'the stars,' she whispers, 'blindly run'" is a prospect too bleak to sustain our existence.

The New York Times

I'm also a fan of louche, slightly shady Shepherd Market, the only place to sustain the existence of an oddball Polish-Mexican restaurant called L'Autre.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Plato's Academy (c. 387 bce), for example, was established with an endowment that helped to sustain its existence for some 900 years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental issues, use "sustain existence" to emphasize the importance of preserving resources for future generations.

Common error

While "sustain existence" is grammatically sound, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler phrases like "stay alive" or "get by" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustain existence" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the action of maintaining or supporting life and being. It often describes the necessary conditions or resources required for something to continue living, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sustain existence" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression for denoting the act of maintaining or supporting life. According to Ludwig AI, it is most commonly found in "News & Media", "Science", and encyclopedic contexts. While grammatically correct, it's best suited for formal or analytical discussions rather than casual conversation. Consider alternatives like "maintain life" or "support survival" to fit specific contexts. Remember that while the phrase is generally useful across many contexts, it's crucial to use it in accordance to its formal style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain life

Focuses more directly on the biological aspect of keeping something alive.

preserve being

Emphasizes the continuation of a state of being, often in a philosophical context.

support survival

Highlights the act of providing necessary resources for continued survival.

ensure continuation

Focuses on guaranteeing the ongoing nature of something.

uphold existence

Implies actively defending or supporting something's right to exist.

bolster survival

Suggests strengthening the means of survival.

nourish life

Highlights the act of providing essential sustenance for life.

facilitate survival

Emphasizes making survival easier or more likely.

fuel existence

Suggests providing the necessary energy or resources for continuing existence.

underpin survival

Indicates providing a foundational support for continued existence.

FAQs

How can I use "sustain existence" in a sentence?

You can use "sustain existence" when talking about the resources needed for survival, like "access to clean water is vital to "sustain existence" in desert climates".

What are some alternatives to "sustain existence"?

Alternatives include "maintain life", "preserve being", or "support survival", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "sustain existence" and "maintain life"?

"Sustain existence" is a broader term that can apply to various entities, while "maintain life" often refers specifically to biological organisms. Both phrases, however, focus on the continuation of living processes.

In what contexts is it most appropriate to use "sustain existence"?

It's suitable in formal writing, academic discussions, environmental contexts, and philosophical discussions about survival and the continuation of life.