ENGLISH
REFERENCE

existing

v.
B1 Intermediate US //ɪɡˈzɪstɪŋ// UK //ɛɡzˈɪstɪŋ// ex·ist·ing

v. describing something that is real or present right now. You use this to talk about things that already belong to a person or place.

v. presently present or available; currently in being. Often used to distinguish current states or objects from those that are planned or hypothetical.


SIMPLE

The existing rules are very strict.

CONTEXTUAL

The company plans to expand its existing office rather than moving to a new building.

COMPLEX

Under the existing framework, local authorities lack the legal power to intervene in private property disputes without a court order.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Usage

Typically functions as an attributive adjective placed before the noun it modifies.

Pitfall

the existed lawsthe existing lawsLearners often use the past participle 'existed' when they mean 'existing' to describe things that currently remain in effect.

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