LoginSurvive vs. Live
Both verbs are concerned with having or spending life but one of them has a wider scope of usage which we are going to discuss in this lesson.
Both 'survive' and 'live' refer to the state of remaining alive or having life. However, 'survive' typically implies remaining alive under difficult circumstances, while 'live' refers to the more general concepts of being alive. This lesson will clarify the difference between these two verbs.
Difference in Scope
'Survive' means to continue to exist, particularly in challenging or adverse conditions. It emphasizes the ability to endure, overcome, or withstand threats, dangers, or hardships to stay alive. 'Surviving' implies a focus on basic necessities and the ability to persevere through difficult circumstances. 'Live', on the other hand, generally refers to the state of having life and includes the broader sense of being alive and engaged in various activities, pursuits, and experiences. 'Living' involves not just basic survival but also participation in social, emotional, and intellectual aspects of existence. Here are some examples:
The stranded climbers had to
During the war, many families struggled to
I want to
The wildlife documentary showcased animals
Grammatical Difference
'Live' is an intransitive verb. 'Survive' however, can be either transitive or intransitive. When used transitively, it refers to remaining alive despite a specific difficulty or event and takes that specific event as its object. Take a look at the examples below:
The patient underwent a complex surgery but managed to
'Survive' as an intransitive verb
Wild animals have adapted to
'Survive' as a transitive verb
The elderly couple decided to
'Live' is always intransitive in this meaning
Comments
