Carbon is also so common that it's practically impossible to end up in a situation where something else is the only option. Earth has huge quantities of silicon and carbon available, and while Earth life makes some use of silicon, its basis is carbon...though "carbon/water" might be more accurate. The same goes for water...you're unlikely to get ammonia, for example, without also getting copious amounts of water.

However, remember that most of the universe bears little resemblance to Earth's surface. Physical and chemical properties can change greatly with temperature and pressure...silicon life might be more viable in a high pressure, high temperature world where silica is reasonably soluble and where complex carbon-based molecules are unstable. Any intelligent natives of such a world might consider Earth's surface to be a frigid near-vacuum.