very being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very being" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the essence or fundamental nature of something or someone. Example: "Her very being radiated confidence and strength."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

(A human being, he writes, is the "entity which in its Being has this very Being as an issue").

The New Yorker

Your very "being" sufficed.

The New York Times

For Heidegger, the very Being of the individual involves engagement with the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Through his very being he has humanised and enlivened German democracy.

The Economist

Nature as permanent activity is the very being of natural things and identical with their substance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Stay away from arguing about the dress, lest you come to doubt your very being.

Independent

Its very being arises out of an either/or dualistic view of gender.

The New York Times - Arts

Clearly Mr. Schiff has absorbed these works into his very being.

The New York Times - Arts

Unfortunately for them, Simon pipes his very being into his dishes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The presence of stars and planets vital to life the very being of matter itself is a wonder.

The Economist

Stillman has another view of the matter: through an apt application of seeming, one can transform one's very being.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very being" to emphasize the most fundamental and essential aspects of a person, concept, or thing.

Common error

Avoid using "very being" in contexts where simpler terms like "essence" or "nature" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very being" functions primarily as a noun phrase, emphasizing the core essence or fundamental nature of a subject. Ludwig provides examples where it highlights essential qualities or existence itself.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "very being" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to emphasize the fundamental essence or nature of something. As Ludwig AI indicates, it effectively conveys a sense of profound importance. While versatile, avoid overusing it in contexts where simpler terms would suffice. When aiming to highlight the core identity or existence, "very being" serves as a powerful and evocative choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inner being

Focuses on the internal, subjective experience of existence.

core essence

Highlights the most important and intrinsic qualities.

intrinsic nature

Similar to essential nature, but emphasizes inherent qualities.

essential nature

Focuses on the fundamental characteristics rather than existence itself.

true self

Highlights authenticity and genuine identity.

fundamental self

Emphasizes the intrinsic qualities of a person.

inner core

Focuses on the innermost aspect of someone or something.

deepest self

Emphasizes the most profound and fundamental aspects of identity.

ultimate reality

Suggests a deeper, underlying truth or existence.

root existence

Emphasizes the base level or origin of existence.

FAQs

How can I use "very being" in a sentence?

The phrase "very being" is used to emphasize the essence or fundamental nature of something. For example, "Her "very being" radiated confidence".

What phrases are similar to "very being"?

Alternatives to "very being" include "essential nature", "core essence", or "intrinsic nature", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very being"?

While "being" already implies existence and essence, adding "very" emphasizes this core aspect. Whether it's redundant depends on context; sometimes the emphasis is valuable.

When is it best to use "very being" over other similar phrases?

Use "very being" when you want to highlight that something is not just an aspect, but the foundational element of something's existence or identity. It conveys a sense of deep and intrinsic importance.