living in + place
Talking about where someone resides
Living in is used for cities, countries, homes, and areas.
We are living in a coastal town.
Living in, with, on, at, or up?
Living can combine with several prepositions. The choice depends on whether you mean location, company, support, address, or direction.
Quick answer
Common combinations with living
Use living in for places, living with for people or conditions, living on for money or food, living at for addresses, and living up mainly in the phrasal verb living up to.
They are living in Berlin.
She is living with her aunt.
He is living on a small pension.
The team is living up to expectations.
She is living with her aunt.
He is living on a small pension.
The team is living up to expectations.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
living with + person/condition
Sharing a home or experiencing a condition
Living with can refer to people you share a home with or difficulties you experience.
She is living with chronic pain.
living on + income/food
Describing support or survival
Living on means surviving using a particular amount of money or type of food.
Many students are living on tight budgets.
living up to + standard
Meeting expectations
Living up to is a phrasal verb meaning fulfilling hopes or standards.
The product is living up to its reputation.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
living in
They are living in Rome.
Residing in a place.
living with
He is living with friends.
Sharing accommodation or dealing with something.
living on
She is living on savings.
Depending on money or food for support.
living at
I am living at 22 Green Road.
Staying at a specific address.
living up to
The sequel is living up to expectations.
Meeting a standard or reputation.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using living on for cities
Cities and countries usually take in.
✕ They are living on London. ✓ They are living in London.Using living up without to
The phrasal verb requires to before the standard or expectation.
✕ The film is living up expectations. ✓ The film is living up to expectations.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She is living ___ her grandparents this year.
2. They are living ___ very little money.
3. The hotel is living up ___ its reputation.
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Frequently asked questions
Can living with describe a medical condition?
Yes. People often say living with anxiety or living with diabetes.
Do we say living at or living in an address?
A full street address usually takes at.
Is living up a complete expression?
Usually no. The standard expression is living up to something.
Related preposition guides
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