the very existence

USAGE SUMMARY

"the very existence" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something truly exists. Example: The very existence of life on other planets has yet to be confirmed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

To my way of thinking, the very existence of this mysterious effect proves that God exists.

Huffington Post

In fact he denies the very existence of chance.

The New York Times

Barthes does not deny the very existence of the writer.

The Guardian - Books

There was, for starters, the very existence of the meeting.

The New Yorker

These ultra-sceptics doubt the very existence of dinosaurs.

The Guardian

The very existence of this campaign shows it is serious.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Certainly the very existence of this intimate conversation is interesting.

The New York Times

The very existence of China's pandas has long been threatened.

Independent

Demonstrators protest against the very existence of the banking industry.

The Economist

"But now the prospect of Greek bankruptcy threatened the very existence of the eurozone.

The Guardian

"What's at stake is the very existence of the labor movement.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very existence" to emphasize a fundamental truth or to highlight something that is often questioned or doubted. For example, "The very existence of democracy is threatened by misinformation."

Common error

Avoid using "the very existence" when a simpler phrasing like "existence" or "the existence" would suffice. Overusing "very" can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very existence" functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing the actuality and reality of something. It often introduces a subject that is under threat, being questioned, or is crucial to a situation, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very existence" is a phrase used to emphasize the reality and importance of something, often when it is under threat or being questioned. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, avoid redundancy by using simpler phrasings when appropriate. The related phrases offer similar ways to stress reality or being, but "the very existence" adds a notable layer of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the actual being

Focuses on the actuality of something's being, rather than merely its possibility.

the sheer fact of being

Emphasizes the unadulterated reality of existence, often in contrast to expectations or doubts.

the fundamental reality

Highlights the basic, underlying truth of something's being.

the plain reality

Suggests an uncomplicated or undeniable truth about something's existence.

the simple fact of its being

Stresses the elementary nature of existence as a key consideration.

the very essence

Shifts focus from existence to the core qualities that define something.

the absolute reality

Highlights the completeness and certainty of something's existence.

the undeniable presence

Emphasizes the inability to ignore or deny something's existence.

the reality itself

Emphasizes the tangible and concrete nature of existence, distinct from abstract notions.

the intrinsic nature

Focuses on inherent qualities rather than just the state of existing.

FAQs

How can I use "the very existence" in a sentence?

Use "the very existence" to emphasize the reality or factuality of something, often when it's under threat or being questioned. For example, "The debate challenged "the very existence" of free will".

What are some alternatives to "the very existence"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "the sheer fact of being", "the fundamental reality", or "the plain reality".

Is it more formal to say "the very existence" or simply "the existence"?

"The very existence" often adds emphasis and can be perceived as slightly more formal, especially when stressing a point or refuting a challenge to something's being. "The existence" is a more neutral statement.

In what situations is "the very existence" most appropriate?

"The very existence" is best used when you want to highlight that something's reality is crucial, often when it's under threat, being debated, or is fundamental to a discussion. For instance, "The new law threatens "the very existence" of small businesses".