to live

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to live" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, often relating to existence, lifestyle, or the act of living. Example: "To live a fulfilling life, one must pursue their passions and maintain meaningful relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Impossible to live poor?

The New York Times

Words to live by.

The New York Times - Arts

"People want to live".

The New York Times - Health

You want to live".

The New Yorker

We're here to live.

The New Yorker

"I wanted to live".

The New York Times

How best to live?

Independent

They need to live".

The New York Times

"We want to live.

The New York Times

She works to live.

The New York Times - Travel

"I'm going to live".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to live" to introduce a purpose or condition, as in "We eat to live, not live to eat".

Common error

Avoid using "live" directly as a noun when "living" is more appropriate. For instance, say "the cost of living" instead of "the cost of live".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to live" primarily functions as an infinitive, often serving as a verb's complement or to express purpose. Ludwig provides examples across diverse contexts, highlighting its versatility. Examples include expressing desire ("I want to live"), necessity ("We have to live"), or manner ("How best to live?").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to live" is a versatile infinitive expressing existence, survival, or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high frequency in various contexts. It appears most commonly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science, reflecting its broad applicability. While straightforward, nuance can be added by considering alternatives like "to exist" or "to thrive" for greater precision. Remember to use "living" as a noun (e.g., "cost of living") and not to replace it with "live". In conclusion, "to live" is a fundamental phrase that requires careful consideration for specific meaning and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to enjoy life

Stresses the positive aspects and pleasures of living.

to exist

Emphasizes the state of being, without necessarily implying a particular quality of life.

to experience life

Focuses on the quality and range of experiences one has while living.

to survive

Focuses on continuing to live, often under difficult circumstances.

to lead a life

Emphasizes the manner or style in which one lives.

to subsist

Highlights the act of maintaining life, typically with limited resources.

to have a life

Highlights the possession and enjoyment of life.

to reside

Specifies the act of living in a particular place.

to make a life

Implies creating a fulfilling or successful existence.

to dwell

Implies a more permanent or settled way of living.

FAQs

How can I use "to live" in a sentence?

You can use "to live" to express the basic act of existence, as in "Everyone wants "to live" a happy life", or to indicate a purpose, such as "We eat "to live", not live to eat".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to live"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to exist", "to survive", "to reside", or "to experience life".

Is it correct to say "live life" or "to live life"?

While "live life" is sometimes used informally, it's more grammatically correct and common to say "to live life" to emphasize the act of experiencing life.

What's the difference between "to live" and "to exist"?

"To live" often implies a degree of activity, experience, or quality of life, whereas "to exist" simply means to be in a state of being, without implying anything further about the nature of that existence.