Help center

Phrasal verbs "live for" vs "live on"

Differences between live for and live on

Live for means to have a strong passion or purpose in life, while live on means to survive or subsist on something.

Meanings and Definitions: live for vs live on

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Live for

  • 1Believe something is extremely important.

    He LIVES FOR football.

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 for, live on in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

live for

Example

She lives for her children and their happiness.

Example

He lives for playing the guitar and performing on stage.

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 for

be passionate about

To have a strong interest or enthusiasm for something.

Example

She is passionate about environmental issues and volunteers regularly to clean up local parks.

have a calling

To feel a strong sense of purpose or destiny in a particular field or profession.

Example

Ever since he was a child, he knew he had a calling to become a doctor and help others.

be all about

To be completely focused on or dedicated to something.

Example

Her life is all about music, and she spends most of her time writing and performing songs.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Live on

survive on

To manage to stay alive or subsist on limited resources or income.

Example

During the pandemic, many families had to survive on government aid and donations to make ends meet.

make do with

To manage or cope with a difficult situation or limited resources.

Example

Since they couldn't afford a new car, they had to make do with their old one and repair it frequently.

get by on

To manage to live or subsist on a certain amount of money or resources.

Example

As a student, she had to get by on a tight budget and work part-time to pay for her expenses.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

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

Frequency in Daily Use: live for or live on?

In daily conversation, people use live on more often than live for. This is because live on is used for basic needs such as food, money, or resources. Live for is not used as much. It's mainly used when we're talking about someone's passion or purpose in life. So, while both phrases are used, live on is more common in everyday conversation.

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

Live for 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 for and live on

The tone of live for and live on can differ based on context. Live for often carries an enthusiastic or optimistic tone when related to one's passion or purpose, while live on typically has a practical and sometimes desperate tone, especially when referring to surviving on limited resources.

live for & live on: Synonyms and Antonyms

Live for

Synonyms

  • devote oneself to
  • be passionate about
  • focus on
  • center one's life around
  • be dedicated to

This content was generated with the assistance of AI technology based on RedKiwi's unique learning data. By utilizing automated AI content, we can quickly deliver a wide range of highly accurate content to users. Experience the benefits of AI by having your questions answered and receiving reliable information!