exist

/ɪɡˈzɪst/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪɡˈzɪst/ (ame, ipa) · /ig-ˈzist/ (ame, mw)

exist — verb

  • existpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • existshe / she / it
  • existedpast simple
  • existing-ing form

1. to be present in the world as a real thing, fact, or situation that people can o

1.動詞不及物A2
釋義

to be present in the world as a real thing, fact, or situation that people can observe or know about

例句

Dinosaurs existed millions of years before humans appeared on Earth.

past simple used for species that no longer exist

There exists a simple explanation for the strange noise in the attic.

there + exists + noun phrase

同義詞
  • be found

    more specific — used when something is located in a particular place

  • occur

    formal; used mainly for natural events, phenomena, or conditions

  • live on

    informal; used for ideas or traditions that continue

文法句型

exist + (adverb/prepositional phrase)

there + exists/existed + noun

用法筆記

Not used in the progressive (-ing) form. Say 'it exists' or 'it existed', not 'it is existing'. The subject is typically a thing, concept, or natural phenomenon rather than a person.

常見錯誤

❌A solution to the problem is existing.
✅A solution to the problem exists.
💡The verb 'exist' does not take the progressive (-ing) form.
❌We existed the party last night.
✅We were at the party last night.
💡'Exist' cannot mean 'to attend' or 'to be present at an event'; it only means 'to be real'.

2. to manage to stay alive, especially when you have very little food, money, or ot

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to manage to stay alive, especially when you have very little food, money, or other resources

例句

During the war, many families existed on nothing but bread and water.

exist + on + very basic food

Minho existed on just four hours of sleep while studying for his final exams.

同義詞
  • survive

    more common and less formal; same meaning but used more broadly

  • get by

    informal; focuses on managing with limited resources

  • subsist

    formal and quite rare; used in academic or humanitarian writing

反義詞
  • thrive

    the opposite — to live well and grow strong

文法句型

exist + on + food/money

exist + in/under + conditions

用法筆記

This sense often carries a tone of hardship or bare survival. The pattern 'exist on + noun' is especially common to describe a minimal diet or income. Distinguish from sense 1 (BE REAL): here the subject is a living being, not an abstract concept.

常見錯誤

❌She exists happily in a big house.
✅She lives happily in a big house.
💡Sense 2 of 'exist' suggests difficulty, not comfort; use 'live' for normal or good living conditions.