be sustained

USAGE SUMMARY

"be sustained" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to continue or be maintained over a period of time. You can use it in a variety of contexts, including: - The company's success can only be sustained through innovative strategies and dedicated employees. - After months of hard work, the athlete's stamina proved to be sustained throughout the race. - It is important for the environment to be sustained for future generations. - We must consider the long-term consequences in order for peace to be sustained in the region. - The old bridge was too damaged to be sustained and had to be replaced.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How can it be sustained?

The New York Times - Arts

It must be sustained.

The Washington Post

It can't be sustained.

The Washington Post

"Growth must be sustained.

The New York Times

It cannot be sustained.

Cornell University

Can it be sustained?

The Guardian - Books

"The problem is, that cannot be sustained.

The New York Times

This seems unlikely to be sustained.

The New Yorker

But the fantasy cannot be sustained.

The New York Times

But will the recovery be sustained?

The New York Times

How can this policy be sustained?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be sustained", ensure the subject that is being sustained is clearly identified to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what needs to "be sustained": "The momentum needs to be sustained".

Common error

A common mistake is failing to clarify who or what is enabling something to "be sustained". Always provide context: instead of just writing "it must be sustained", specify "the project must be sustained by continued funding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be sustained" functions as part of a passive construction, indicating that a subject is receiving or undergoing the action of being maintained or supported. This contrasts with the active verb "sustain", where the subject is performing the action. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be sustained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction signifying the continuation or maintenance of something over time. Ludwig AI supports this, providing numerous examples from reliable sources. Its common usage spans across news, academic, and formal contexts. To ensure clarity, always specify what needs to "be sustained" and the factors that enable its continuation. Remember that while the phrase is generally formal, its versatility makes it suitable for a wide range of writing scenarios. Consider alternatives like "be maintained" or "be continued" for nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be maintained

Focuses on keeping something at a specific level or condition, similar to ensuring something is sustained.

be continued

Emphasizes the act of prolonging or extending something, akin to allowing something to be sustained.

be preserved

Highlights the protection of something from harm or change, ensuring it is sustained in its current state.

be upheld

Suggests maintaining something, such as a principle or law, so it remains valid and sustained.

be supported

Implies providing assistance or resources to ensure something can be sustained or continue functioning.

be prolonged

Directly indicates the act of extending the duration of something, similar to keeping something sustained.

be perpetuated

Focuses on ensuring something continues indefinitely, akin to being sustained across generations.

be carried on

Emphasizes continuing a process or activity, similar to how something is sustained through ongoing effort.

be kept alive

Highlights the effort to maintain something in a functional or active state, implying that it is being sustained against challenges.

be kept up

Suggests maintaining a certain level or standard, similar to ensuring that progress or quality is sustained.

FAQs

How can I use "be sustained" in a sentence?

You can use "be sustained" to indicate that something should continue or be maintained. For example: "The growth must "be sustained" to ensure long-term economic stability".

What are some alternatives to "be sustained"?

Alternatives include "be maintained", "be continued", or "be preserved". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "will be sustain" instead of "be sustained"?

No, "will be sustain" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "will be sustained", which uses the past participle of the verb "sustain" to form the passive voice in the future tense.

What is the difference between "be sustained" and "sustain"?

"Sustain" is an active verb, meaning to support or maintain something actively. "Be sustained" is passive, meaning something is being supported or maintained by an external force or factor. For example, "We must sustain the effort" (active) versus "The effort must "be sustained"" (passive).