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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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are sustained by

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are sustained by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the ongoing support of something. For example: "The efforts of the team are sustained by the continuing encouragement of their supporters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are sustained by family and relationships.

News & Media

The Guardian

Entire careers are sustained by repeated association with sexual perversion.

Crops are sustained by manure from farm animals.

News & Media

The New York Times

Most of the injuries are sustained by children from 5 to 15 years old.

Subsidised theatre supports commercial projects; large venues are sustained by smaller ones.

News & Media

The Guardian

But in the last analysis, people are sustained by believing in something".

If serious accusations against an inspector general are sustained by evidence, the president can dismiss him.

News & Media

The New York Times

Our prosperity and way of life are sustained by energy use.

News & Media

The New York Times

IEEE's technical activities are sustained by volunteer members, including many of your faculty colleagues.

Albee makes it clear that many modern marriages are sustained by destructive role-play.

News & Media

The Guardian

Leuschner, F. et al. Rapid monocyte kinetics in acute myocardial infarction are sustained by extramedullary monocytopoiesis.

Science & Research

Nature
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are sustained by" to indicate that something is maintained or supported over time by a particular source or element. For example, "The community's efforts are sustained by the unwavering support of local businesses."

Common error

Avoid using "are sustained by" when you intend to express an active relationship. For instance, instead of "The building are sustained by pillars", consider "Pillars sustain the building" to clarify the active role of the pillars.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are sustained by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject receives support or maintenance from an external source. Ludwig AI shows many examples where this phrase links a result or condition to its enabling factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are sustained by" is a versatile passive construction frequently employed to convey how something is maintained or supported over time. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase enjoys widespread use across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia, underscoring its reliability and applicability. To ensure clarity, avoid using it when an active voice construction would be more appropriate. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "are maintained by" or "are supported by" to achieve similar effects. With these considerations in mind, integrating "are sustained by" into your writing can effectively illustrate the dependencies and enabling factors behind various phenomena.

FAQs

How can I use "are sustained by" in a sentence?

Use "are sustained by" to indicate that something is maintained or supported by something else over a period of time. For example, "The project's success "is sustained by" consistent effort and resources".

What are some alternatives to "are sustained by"?

Alternatives include "are supported by", "are maintained by", or "are fueled by", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is sustained by" instead of "are sustained by"?

The choice between "is" and "are" depends on whether the subject is singular or plural. Use "is sustained by" for singular subjects (e.g., "The effort is sustained by hope"), and "are sustained by" for plural subjects (e.g., "The efforts are sustained by hope").

What's the difference between "are sustained by" and "are caused by"?

"Are sustained by" implies ongoing support or maintenance, while "are caused by" indicates the origin or reason for something's existence. For example, "The ecosystem is sustained by biodiversity", versus "The damage is caused by pollution".

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: