What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
be
Example
I want to be a doctor when I grow up. [be: verb]
Example
She is being very kind to her friends. [being: present participle]
exist
Example
Do aliens exist in outer space? [exist: verb]
Example
The evidence exists to support his claim. [exists: third person singular]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Be is much more common and widely used in everyday language compared to exist. Be is a fundamental verb that is used in a wide range of contexts, while exist is more specialized and typically used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between be and exist?
Both be and exist can be used in formal and informal contexts. However, exist may have a slightly more formal or philosophical connotation due to its association with the concept of existence.
