Existence vs Living

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Existence

Top 2,000 (common) B2 noun

Living

Top 2,000 (common) B1 adjective

	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.

See it in real clips

The Sopranos › S1 E1

Our existence on this earth is a puzzle.

Peaky Blinders › S1 E1

You must keep the existence of these stolen guns out of the news,

The Sopranos › S1 E1

Our existence on this earth is a puzzle.

Peaky Blinders › S1 E1

You must keep the existence of these stolen guns out of the news,

Existence

Back home, when I'd tell people what I do for a living,

The Pitt › S1 E1

Well, if you paid them a living wage,

The Wire › S1 E1

scaring the living shit out of every witness.

Back home, when I'd tell people what I do for a living,

The Pitt › S1 E1

Well, if you paid them a living wage,

Living

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

Which is more advanced: Existence and Living?

Existence is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Existence and Living the same CEFR level?

Existence: B2, Living: B1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Existence and Living?

Existence: noun, Living: adjective.

Can you show an example of each?

Existence: The existence of parallel universes is a fascinating concept in physics. Living: She has a very living spirit that inspires everyone around her.

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.