Cool MateExistence vs Living
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Existence
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Living
Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective
| Existence | Living | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪɡˈzɪstəns/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪɡˈzɪstəns/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈlɪvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈlɪvɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | The state of being real or living. | the act of being alive or having a life |
| Example | The existence of parallel universes is a fascinating concept in physics. | She has a very living spirit that inspires everyone around her. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | adjective |
| Collocations | actual, real, possible, be in, have, come into, depend on something, depend upon something, in existence, the struggle for existence, bare, hand-to-mouth, meagre/meager, enjoy, have, lead, a mode of existence | living expenses, living conditions, living arrangements, living space, living legend |
| Antonyms | nonexistence, nothingness | dying, deceased, non-living |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'existent', which is a different form., Using 'existence' in place of 'presence', which has a different meaning., Mispronouncing it, often omitting the 'x' sound. | 'Living' confused with 'live' when describing something happening in the present., Using 'living' incorrectly as a verb instead of a noun., Confusing 'living' with 'liveliness' when discussing energy. |
| Usage notes | Use 'existence' in both formal and informal discussions about reality. Avoid in casual conversations where simpler terms like 'life' suffice. | Use 'living' when talking about life in various contexts. Avoid in formal writing where more specific terms like 'existence' might be better. |
Frequently asked questions: Existence vs Living
What's the difference between Existence and Living?
Existence: The state of being real or living. Living: the act of being alive or having a life
Are Existence and Living the same CEFR level?
Existence: B2, Living: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Existence and Living interchangeably?
Not always. Existence and Living are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.