"The foundation of a fulfilling life is not what we gather, but the connections and values we have lived on."

📖 Definition

'Lived on' means to survive or sustain oneself by relying on a particular resource or principle. It often highlights dependency or continuity over time.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

'Lived on' means to survive or sustain oneself by relying on a particular resource or principle. It often highlights dependency or continuity over time.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
The phrase 'lived on' cannot be split by adding words between 'lived' and 'on'.
Register
Neutral
This phrasal verb can be used in both informal and formal contexts without altering the meaning.
Transitive
No
It does not require a direct object and often refers to survival or sustainability.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple live on They live on a modest income from farming.
Past Simple lived on He lived on his savings after retirement.
Present Continuous living on She is living on her freelance earnings now.
Present Perfect have lived on They have lived on subsidies for the past year.

💡 When to Use

Describing survival means
Use 'lived on' to talk about how someone sustains themselves with specific resources or methods, focusing on survival.
Example: "During tough times, they lived on bread and water."
Expressing reliance on values
Use it when depicting reliance on abstract principles or values that guide actions or decisions.
Example: "Throughout his career, he lived on his grandfather's wisdom."
Discussing continuity and legacy
'Lived on' is suitable for expressing the continuance of influence or ideas over time, lasting beyond a physical presence.
Example: "His teachings have lived on through generations."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Using incorrect preposition
❌ Wrong: He lived in small salary for years.
✅ Correct: He lived on a small salary for years.
💡 Tip: Remember to use 'on' to show reliance.
Incorrect verb form
❌ Wrong: She live on her savings now.
✅ Correct: She lives on her savings now.
💡 Tip: Match the verb 'live' with the subject's number and tense.
Confusing with 'depend on'
❌ Wrong: They live on their parents for support.
✅ Correct: They depend on their parents for support.
💡 Tip: Use 'live on' for sustenance, not financial reliance.
Practice

LIVED ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

  • 1
    Listen to example

    Many artists from the Renaissance lived on the patronage of wealthy families.

    Words Multiplied
  • 2
    Listen to example

    During the expedition, they lived on dried fruits and nuts.

    Words Multiplied
  • 3
    Listen to example

    Legends live on in the stories passed down through generations.

    Words Multiplied

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

subsist on survive on

Antonyms

abandon

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"During his student years, he ___ on instant noodles and coffee."

live in
lived on
lives at
lived of

Frequently Asked Questions about Lived On

What is the origin of lived on?

+
The phrase 'lived on' originates from the Old English word 'libban', meaning 'to live'. Over centuries, it evolved to describe reliance on resources or principles for survival.

Can lived on be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'lived on' can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's versatile enough to describe everyday survival or philosophical concepts in any setting.

What is the difference between lived on and subsist on?

+
'Lived on' is more general, often used to indicate survival or reliance over time, while 'subsist on' implies a more basic, minimal level of survival, often with limited resources.
Browse All Words Multiplied Phrasal Verbs
Human Communication Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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