live alone
/lɪv əˈloʊn/
Meaning
This phrase means to reside in a house or apartment by oneself, without family, roommates, or partners. It is a neutral description of someone's living situation. Note that 'alone' is an adverb here, so we do not say 'live lonely'.
Examples
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She decided to live alone after finishing university.
She decided to live alone after finishing university.
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Do you prefer to live alone or with roommates?
Do you prefer to live alone or with roommates?
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My grandfather is eighty years old, but he still prefers to live alone.
My grandfather is eighty years old, but he still prefers to live alone.
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Living alone can be expensive because you pay all the bills yourself.
Living alone can be expensive because you pay all the bills yourself.
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He has lived alone in this apartment for three years.
He has lived alone in this apartment for three years.
Common Mistakes
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✗ He lives lonely in a big house.
✓ He lives alone in a big house.
'Lonely' is an emotion (feeling sad because you are by yourself). 'Alone' means without other people. Use 'live alone' to describe the physical state.
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✗ I live by my own.
✓ I live alone.
The correct idioms are 'live alone', 'live on my own', or 'live by myself'. 'Live by my own' incorrectly combines these structures.
Related Expressions
Practice
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I want to ___ because I like having my own space.
💡 Reside by yourself without roommates.
Show answer
live alone
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Does she ___ or does she share an apartment?
💡 Reside by herself.
Show answer
live alone