try to survive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to survive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts where someone is making an effort to continue living or to endure a difficult situation. Example: "In the aftermath of the disaster, the survivors had to try to survive with limited resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We try to survive.

The New York Times

"You try to survive".

The Guardian - Film

You just try to survive".

The Guardian - Film

But I'm going to try to survive".

The New Yorker

But meanwhile we will try to survive beyond it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"You try to survive your first visual influence.

The New Yorker

So why do we even try to survive?

The New York Times - Style

Average people will try to survive in the political jungle.

The New York Times

I will hold onto this memory as we try to survive our endlessly depressing political season.

The New York Times

Some putts aren't worth trying to make — just try to survive them".

The New York Times

America is a hard place to try to survive on the social safety net.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about challenging circumstances, use "try to survive" to convey the active effort someone is making to overcome adversity. For example, 'Despite the economic downturn, small businesses continue to "try to survive" by innovating and adapting.'

Common error

Avoid using "try to survive" in situations that are merely inconvenient or mildly challenging, as it can sound overly dramatic. Reserve it for contexts where there is a genuine threat to well-being or existence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to survive" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It describes the goal of attempting to continue living or to endure a challenging situation, as supported by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "try to survive" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that conveys an active effort to endure difficult circumstances. As shown by Ludwig, it is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While it is versatile, be mindful of overusing it in less serious situations to maintain its impact. Consider alternatives such as "attempt to endure" or "strive to stay alive" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to endure

Emphasizes perseverance through hardship.

strive to stay alive

Highlights the effort involved in maintaining life.

seek to remain alive

A more formal way of expressing the effort to stay alive.

endeavor to last

Focuses on prolonging existence, often in a challenging environment.

make an effort to persevere

Emphasizes the active attempt to overcome difficulties and continue.

work to subsist

Focuses on obtaining the basic necessities for continued existence.

struggle to exist

Highlights the difficulty and effort required to maintain life.

fight to live

Implies a strong, active battle against threats to life.

aim to weather

Suggests enduring a temporary hardship or crisis.

try to hold on

Indicates a desperate attempt to maintain one's position or life.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to survive" to describe efforts to endure difficult situations, such as "During the recession, many families had to "try to survive" on reduced incomes." It indicates an active attempt to overcome adversity.

What are some alternatives to "try to survive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "attempt to endure", "strive to stay alive", or "fight to live".

Is it appropriate to use "try to survive" in formal writing?

Yes, "try to survive" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing serious or critical situations. However, consider using alternatives like "endeavor to persevere" for a more sophisticated tone.

What's the difference between "try to survive" and "attempt to survive"?

"Try to survive" and "attempt to survive" are largely interchangeable. "Attempt to survive" might sound slightly more formal, but the difference is minimal. Choose the one that best fits the tone of your writing.