to survive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to survive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the act of continuing to live or exist, especially in challenging situations. Example: "In order to survive the harsh winter, the animals must find shelter and food."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To survive".

The New York Times - Magazine

Just enough to survive".

The Guardian

We hunt to survive!

The New Yorker

I learned to survive".

The New York Times

I vowed to survive".

The New York Times - Magazine

What's there to survive?

The New York Times

How to survive it?

The New Yorker

I'm fighting to survive".

Independent

Killing ourselves to survive.

The New Yorker

I had to survive".

The New York Times

"Everybody is trying to survive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to survive", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being survived. Explicitly state the threat or challenge being overcome for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to survive" when the situation isn't genuinely threatening or challenging. Using it for mundane situations dilutes its impact; consider alternatives like "to manage" or "to cope" for less severe circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to survive" is that of an infinitive phrase, often acting as an adverbial of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a common and acceptable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

19%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to survive" is a grammatically sound and very common infinitive phrase used to express the purpose of continuing to live or exist, often in the face of adversity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for use in many contexts, especially in News & Media. While versatile, it's best to reserve its use for scenarios involving genuine threats, and consider alternatives like "to endure" or "to manage" in less critical situations. Remember to state clearly what is being survived to ensure the message is clearly conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to live

Rephrases the core concept using "live" instead of "survive", implying a focus on the basic act of staying alive.

to remain alive

Emphasizes the state of being alive as the result of surviving, using more descriptive language.

for continued existence

More formal and abstract, focusing on the continuation of existence rather than the act of surviving.

to make it through

More colloquial, implying successfully navigating a difficult situation.

to get through

Similar to "to make it through", but slightly less emphatic.

to weather the storm

Metaphorical, suggesting enduring a period of hardship or crisis.

to pull through

Focuses on recovering from a near-fatal or critical situation.

for endurance

Highlights the act of enduring over a period of time.

to withstand

Stresses the ability to resist or bear the force of something.

to exist

Simplest alternative, focusing solely on the state of existence without implying a struggle.

FAQs

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

You can use "to survive" to describe continuing to live or exist, especially during difficult conditions. For example, "The plants need water "to survive" the drought."

What are some alternatives to "to survive"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to endure", "to persist", or "to withstand" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "to survive" and "to exist"?

"To survive" implies overcoming a threat or challenge, while "to exist" simply means to be. You would use "to survive" when emphasizing resilience and overcoming adversity.

When is it appropriate to use "to endure" instead of "to survive"?

While both indicate lasting through something, "to endure" often suggests bearing hardship patiently, while "to survive" emphasizes overcoming a life-threatening situation.