would survive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would survive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a hypothetical situation in which someone or something continues to exist or endure under certain conditions. Example: "If the storm hits, I believe the old oak tree would survive due to its deep roots."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She would survive.

The New Yorker

My grandfather would survive.

The New York Times - Magazine

46 would survive.

The New Yorker

He doubted he would survive.

The New York Times

"I probably would survive it.

Independent

All three would survive.

The Washington Post

Not one would survive.

The New York Times

She would survive anything.

The New Yorker

Maybe the stylish would survive longer.

The New York Times

No more than 100 would survive.

The New York Times

I would survive, I would find food.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would survive" to describe hypothetical scenarios where resilience or endurance is being discussed. For example, "Even with budget cuts, the program would survive if we find alternative funding sources."

Common error

Avoid using "would survive" in situations where the conditions for survival are so improbable that the statement becomes illogical. For example, instead of saying "A goldfish would survive in the desert," consider a more appropriate verb or revise the scenario.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would survive" functions primarily as a modal verb construction expressing a conditional or hypothetical outcome. It indicates that under certain circumstances, something has the potential to endure or continue to exist. This is supported by Ludwig, which shows usage across a range of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would survive" is a commonly used modal verb phrase used to express hypothetical survival or endurance, as confirmed by Ludwig. Grammatically correct and versatile, it finds its place across diverse contexts, from News & Media to Academia. Guidance encourages its use in realistic scenarios and cautions against improbable conditions. Related phrases such as ""could endure"" and ""might persist"" offer nuanced alternatives. With an expert rating of 4.6, its consistent usage and source authority underscore its reliability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could endure

Expresses a possibility of lasting through something.

might persist

Suggests a chance of continuing despite difficulties.

can withstand

Highlights the ability to resist damage or harm.

may overcome

Focuses on successfully dealing with a problem or obstacle.

should pull through

Similar to "is likely to pull through" but with slightly stronger confidence.

is likely to pull through

Indicates a good chance of recovering from a difficult situation.

is poised to outlast

Emphasizes surviving longer than something else.

has the potential to persevere

Highlights the inherent capacity to continue despite setbacks.

is equipped to weather

Implies readiness to face and survive a storm or crisis.

is projected to remain

Indicates a forecast of continued existence.

FAQs

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

You can use "would survive" to describe a hypothetical situation where something endures or continues to exist, such as, "The business "would survive" if we cut costs" or "The plant "would survive" if it got more sunlight."

What are some alternatives to saying "would survive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "could endure", "might persist", or "can withstand".

Is it correct to use "would survive" when talking about something that didn't survive?

While "would survive" usually implies a hypothetical continuation, it can be used to express what could have happened under different circumstances. For example, "With more resources, the project "would survive", but unfortunately, it was discontinued."

What's the difference between "would survive" and "will survive"?

"Would survive" suggests a hypothetical or conditional scenario, while "will survive" implies a higher degree of certainty about future endurance. For instance, "If they implement these changes, the company "would survive"" versus "The company "will survive" because of its strong market position."