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Phrasal verbs "live by" vs "live on"

Differences between live by and live on

Live by means to follow a particular set of principles or rules, while live on means to survive or subsist on a particular type of food or income.

Meanings and Definitions: live by vs live on

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Live by

  • 1Follow a belief system to guide your behaviour.

    He tries hard to LIVE BY the Bible.

Live on

  • 1Use money for basic necessities.

    They have to LIVE ON $ 200 a week.

  • 2Not be forgotten.

    He's been dead for many years, but his name LIVES ON.

Usage Examples: live by, live on in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

live by

Example

She tries to live by the golden rule: treat others as you want to be treated.

Example

He lives by the teachings of his religion.

live on

Example

Many people live on a tight budget to save money.

Example

She lives on a small pension after retiring.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Live by

abide by

To follow or obey a particular law, rule, or principle.

Example

As a lawyer, she always abides by the ethical standards of her profession.

adhere to

To stick to or follow a particular belief, practice, or system.

Example

He always adheres to his strict workout routine, even when he's traveling.

uphold

To maintain or support a particular idea, value, or tradition.

Example

As a judge, she always upholds the principles of justice and fairness in her rulings.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Live on

get by

To manage or survive with limited resources, especially money.

Example

After losing his job, he had to find creative ways to get by until he found a new one.

survive on

To subsist or live on a particular type of food or income.

Example

In college, she had to survive on instant noodles and cheap snacks until she got a part-time job.

make do with

To manage or cope with something less than ideal.

Example

Since they didn't have enough chairs, they had to make do with some pillows on the floor.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “live”

Phrasal Verbs with “by”

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

Differences in live by vs live on: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: live by or live on?

In daily conversation, people use live on more often than live by. This is because live on is used for more basic needs such as food and money. Live by is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about following a certain philosophy or code of conduct. So, while both phrases are used, live on is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of live by and live on

Live by and live on are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of live by and live on

The tone of live by and live on can differ based on context. Live by often carries a serious or moralistic tone when related to following principles or beliefs, while live on typically has a practical and sometimes even humorous tone, especially when referring to surviving on limited resources.

live by & live on: Synonyms and Antonyms

Live by

Synonyms

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