which we existed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which we existed" is not correct in English.
It seems to be an incomplete or incorrect construction, as it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. An example could be: "The time period in which we existed was marked by significant change."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It was not that something had broken, but the bubble of joy, that contained little unit in which we existed, had been split in half.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is the social worlds in which we exist that ultimately determine who we are and how we behave.

The New York Times - Science

The age we are entering, in which we exist apart, is unlike any that has gone before.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Perhaps without even knowing it they have influenced the climate in which we exist today," he continued.

The New York Times

Our administration wanders aimlessly, clinging to one tree or another with little understanding of where we have been and of the forest in which we exist.

The New York Times

Time is not money but "the element in which we exist," as Joyce Carol Oates put it more than two decades ago (in a relatively leisurely era).

The New York Times

Rabinyan told Army Radio the rejection of "Borderlife" was ironic because "the novel deals precisely with the Israeli fear of assimilation in the Arab milieu within which we exist".

The Guardian

As Alexander Rodnyansky, who is the head of CTC, one of Russia's major television networks, put it, "Television is the only reality in which we exist".

The New Yorker

Mansfield thinks the biggest problem lies in "the willingness of people to recognise the parlous state in which we exist now – economic frailty overseen by someone who is not remotely in touch with it.

The Guardian

In a statement on Tuesday, the Royal Troon captain, Martin Cheyne, said of the policy review: "We care very much for the reputation of Royal Troon golf club and it is important the club, much like the wider game, reflects the modern society in which we exist".

The Guardian

In a statement after the vote, Dr Martin Cheyne, the Royal Troon's club captain, said: "We have said a number of times recently that it is important for golf clubs to reflect the society in which we exist and the modern world that looks to us.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a time period or condition in which people lived or existed, use more common and grammatically sound alternatives like "in which we lived" or "when we were alive."

Common error

Be careful not to use "existed" in relative clauses where "lived" or "were present" would be more appropriate. "Existed" can sometimes sound awkward or overly formal in these contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which we existed" functions as a relative clause, attempting to modify a noun by providing additional information about a period or condition. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrasing is not ideal.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "which we existed" appears in various sources, including news and scientific contexts, Ludwig AI analysis and grammatical standards suggest that it is not the most effective or correct phrasing. More common and stylistically sound alternatives, such as "in which we lived" or "when we were alive", are generally preferred. The phrase functions as a relative clause but often introduces awkwardness. Using more conventional alternatives ensures clearer communication and avoids grammatical pitfalls. Although sources like The Guardian and The New York Times contain it, this does not imply endorsement of its grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in which we lived

Replaces "existed" with the more common and grammatically sound verb "lived" to describe a period of habitation or experience.

when we were alive

Substitutes the entire phrase to specify a timeframe during which individuals were living, emphasizing a temporal aspect.

during our lifetime

Rephrases to focus on the span of a person's life, conveying the period in which someone was present or active.

in our time

Offers a more concise alternative, referring to the era or period in which the speaker and others were present.

the era we inhabited

Uses "inhabited" to imply a period of dwelling or occupancy, with "era" specifying the period.

the world we knew

Changes the focus to the state of the world as experienced during a specific time.

the age in which we were present

Uses "age" instead of "era", referring to the time period when someone was present or active.

the circumstances of our existence

Shifts from time to the conditions that affected life during a certain period.

the environment we experienced

Focuses on the surrounding environment and its effects on individuals during a time.

the society we belonged to

Highlights the social context and belonging that defined people's lives during a certain period.

FAQs

What's a better way to say "which we existed"?

Instead of "which we existed", use phrases like "in which we lived", "when we were alive", or "during our lifetime" for clearer and more natural English.

Is "which we existed" grammatically correct?

The phrase "which we existed" is not considered grammatically ideal. It's better to opt for alternatives that provide clearer and more common phrasing.

How can I use "in which we lived" in a sentence?

For example, you might say, "The era in which we lived was marked by significant technological advancements."

What's the difference between "which we existed" and "where we lived"?

"Which we existed" is less common and can sound awkward. "Where we lived" refers specifically to a place, while "in which we lived" can refer to a time period, condition, or environment.