be sustained by a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be sustained by a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing support or maintenance provided by something or someone. Example: "The project will be sustained by a dedicated team of volunteers who are passionate about the cause."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

That in turn can only be sustained by a profitable business.

The Guardian - Opinion

The public donor, USAid, is on board and supportive of this equitable economic development, which will be sustained by a better-functioning supply chain that benefits smallholders.

The Guardian

Ms. Urban said some of the more lavish practices could not be sustained by a slow-growth, low-margin industry that can't charge luxury prices.

The New York Times - Books

But this windfall must now be sustained by a coherent set of government policies including further simplifications of the tax code and improvements in property and bankruptcy laws.

The New York Times

We argue that the high DFe concentrations may be sustained by a submarine source, also characterized by freshwater input and recorded as salinity anomalies by Argo float in situ measurements and atlas data.

Nature

Colon cancer has been proposed to be sustained by a small subpopulation of stem-like cells with unique properties allowing them to survive conventional therapies and drive tumor recurrence.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Nor can such a large security force be sustained by an impoverished country through its own resources.

The New York Times

T cells can be recruited by muscle or other infiltrating cell populations, through cytokine release, but their persistence and activity might be sustained by an antigen-specific response.

BioMed Research International

Chinese property investment may be inefficient, but it is sustained by a huge, growing and sustainable demand for new housing.

The New York Times

The original, meanwhile, has been sustained by a different impulse.

The Guardian - Opinion

The revitalised Shabab is sustained by a martyrdom complex.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use alternatives like "be supported by" or "be maintained by" to add nuanced meaning to the sentence depending on whether you want to emphasize initial backing or continued upkeep, respectively.

Common error

Avoid using "be sustained by a" when an active voice would be more direct and impactful. Overuse of passive voice can weaken your writing. For example, instead of "The project will be sustained by donations", consider "Donations will sustain the project" if the focus is on the donations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be sustained by a" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject receives support or maintenance from the object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Examples show it describing how things are maintained or supported.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be sustained by a" is a grammatically sound and commonly used passive construction indicating that something receives support or maintenance from a specified source. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. It finds frequent use in contexts like news reporting, scientific writing, and academic analysis. When using this phrase, ensure that the relationship between the subject and the supporting element is clear. While alternatives like "be supported by" and "be maintained by" offer similar meanings, each carries subtle nuances that can enhance your writing. Avoid overuse of the passive voice, opting for active constructions when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be supported by

Focuses on the act of providing assistance or resources, differing from sustained in implying continuation.

be maintained by

Emphasizes the act of keeping something in good condition over time, differing in focus from support.

be fueled by

Highlights the driving force or energy source behind something, differing by focusing on the cause of the sustainability.

be nourished by

Implies a source that provides essential elements for growth and survival, changing the type of maintenance.

be upheld by

Emphasizes the act of preserving or defending something, differing in implying a more active form of maintenance.

be dependent on

Highlights reliance on something for existence or function, differing in explicitness of dependence.

rely on

A shorter, more direct way of expressing dependence for continued existence or operation.

be underpinned by

Highlights the fundamental basis or foundation supporting something, differing in suggesting a more structural support.

be promoted by

Focuses on active encouragement or advancement, shifting from mere support to active promotion.

be financed by

Emphasizes the financial backing that enables something to continue, differing by focusing on economic support.

FAQs

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

Use "be sustained by a" when you want to express that something is maintained or supported by a specific resource or element. For instance, "The ecosystem will be sustained by a balanced food web."

What are some alternatives to "be sustained by a"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be supported by", "be maintained by", or "be fueled by" to convey similar meanings.

Is it better to use "be sustained by a" or "sustain"?

The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the receiver or the provider of support. "Be sustained by a" is passive, focusing on what receives support, while "sustain" is active, focusing on what provides support.

What's the difference between "be sustained by a" and "be supported by a"?

While both phrases indicate reliance on something, "be sustained by a" often implies a longer-term or more fundamental dependence than "be supported by a". Sustaining implies keeping something going over time, while supporting can refer to more immediate assistance.