workaday existence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "workaday existence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mundane, everyday life that lacks excitement or variety. Example: "After years of living a workaday existence, she decided to take a sabbatical and travel the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The relationships are not enduring, but they offer a sort of stimulation that workaday existence rarely provides.

The New York Times

By the end of the 19th century many writers working in Walloon dialects chose a rather doctrinaire Realism to depict workaday existence and remained somewhat hidebound by social conventions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As the actors stroll the aisles, sweeping up popcorn kernels and the like, the sense of peeking into their workaday existence is complete.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The conventions of romantic comedy, though, have required that the parties who detest each other in their workaday existences come to know each other's charms in the parallel universe of the computer.

The New Yorker

Travelers often indulge in the fantasy that the people in the places they visit lead lives that are more civilized, or more down to earth, or more "spiritual" than their own workaday existences.

The New York Times - Travel

So he chose to write about the unglamorous workaday world.

The New York Times - Arts

"It was hard returning to the workaday world," he said.

The New York Times

For more than three decades, Fischli and Weiss uncovered hilarity, and pathos and mystery, in the workaday world.

The New Yorker

With the competition so intense, much of the workaday world slides by the wayside.

The New York Times

Instead of going into the workaday world, he joined the Marines.

The New York Times - Sports

The workaday world is much different than academia.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "workaday existence" when you want to convey a sense of routine and the absence of excitement or extraordinary events in someone's life.

Common error

Avoid using "workaday existence" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "daily life" or "routine existence" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "workaday existence" functions as a descriptive term, modifying the noun "existence" to indicate a routine, ordinary, and often unexciting way of life. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "workaday existence" is a grammatically correct and usable term to describe a mundane, routine life. While Ludwig confirms its validity, it's important to consider the context. It's best used in neutral to slightly informal settings and can be replaced with alternatives like "mundane existence" or "everyday life" in more formal contexts. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources, indicating its general applicability in describing societal observations and personal narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mundane existence

Emphasizes the lack of excitement or interest.

everyday life

A general term for the typical events and activities of a person's life.

commonplace life

Suggests a life without remarkable or distinctive features.

ordinary routine

Highlights the predictability and lack of special events.

normal life

Implies conformity to expected patterns and behaviors.

daily grind

Implies a laborious and monotonous routine.

average lifestyle

Describes a way of living that is neither luxurious nor impoverished.

typical day

Focuses on the usual activities and experiences of a single day.

usual circumstances

Highlights the lack of deviation from the norm.

conventional lifestyle

Focuses on adhering to societal norms and expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "workaday existence" in a sentence?

"Workaday existence" is typically used to describe a life characterized by routine and lacking excitement. For example: "After years of living a "workaday existence", she decided to travel the world."

What are some alternatives to "workaday existence"?

You can use alternatives like "mundane existence", "everyday life", or "ordinary routine" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does "workaday" mean?

"Workaday" means relating to or suitable for ordinary working days; practical, not special or fancy.

Is "workaday existence" formal or informal?

"Workaday existence" leans towards the neutral to slightly informal side. While grammatically correct, it may sound less formal than other alternatives like "daily life" or "routine existence".