hard to sustain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hard to sustain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult to maintain or continue over time. Example: "The team's performance has been impressive, but the pressure to deliver results consistently is hard to sustain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

But in boxing, that illusion is hard to sustain.

The New Yorker

It's hard to sustain the belief that governments do well.

The New Yorker

High approval ratings are often hard to sustain.

The New York Times

"But it's hard to sustain any type of rally".

The New York Times - Sports

That's O.K. for a while, but hard to sustain".

The New Yorker

It was always going to be hard to sustain.

The Guardian - Sport

But that kind of pace was hard to sustain.

The New York Times - Food

"There is inertia that makes love hard to sustain, just like there is inertia that makes health hard to sustain over time," Mr. Schildkrout said.

The New York Times

In Italy, the case of Mr Berlusconi makes it extraordinarily hard to sustain such respect.

The Economist

Sidelining religion and ill treating minorities can be hard to sustain in a democracy, however.

The New York Times

The BDA called the diet "extreme, socially isolating, unbalanced, hard to sustain and potentially harmful".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hard to sustain", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is proving difficult to maintain, providing the subject for clarity. For example, instead of just saying "It's hard to sustain", specify "This level of performance is hard to sustain".

Common error

Avoid using "hard to sustain" without specifying why something is difficult to maintain. Saying something is "hard to sustain" without context makes the statement vague and less impactful. Provide specific reasons or factors contributing to the difficulty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hard to sustain" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying an implied or stated noun. It describes the difficulty associated with maintaining or continuing something. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is used to express challenges in various contexts, from economic growth to personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hard to sustain" is a commonly used phrase that indicates the difficulty in maintaining or continuing something over time. Ludwig AI analysis confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently found in news and media sources. When using this phrase, it's best practice to provide context to clearly define what is proving difficult to sustain and why. Common alternatives include "difficult to maintain" and "challenging to uphold", offering slightly different nuances depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to maintain

Emphasizes the difficulty in keeping something at a certain level or standard. The focus is slightly more on the effort required for upkeep.

challenging to uphold

Highlights the difficulty in defending or supporting something, often a principle or standard. Implies a need to actively protect it from being undermined.

tough to perpetuate

Focuses on the difficulty in continuing something into the future, often a tradition or belief. Emphasizes the long-term aspect of maintenance.

untenable to continue

Suggests that it's impossible to keep something going in its current state, implying it's reaching a breaking point. Conveys a stronger sense of instability.

hard to keep up

Indicates difficulty in keeping pace with a certain level or rate. Suggests that the primary issue is the speed or intensity of something.

difficult to prolong

Emphasizes the difficulty in extending the duration of something, often something temporary or finite. Implies a desire to delay its natural end.

not easily supported

Focuses on the lack of support or resources available to maintain something. Suggests that external factors are making it difficult to continue.

precarious to uphold

Highlights the riskiness or instability of trying to maintain something. Suggests that it's in danger of collapsing or failing.

hard to stabilize

Indicates difficulty in making something steady or secure. Suggests an underlying instability that makes it difficult to maintain a consistent state.

burdensome to preserve

Focuses on the difficulty and effort required to protect something from harm or decay. Suggests that it's a demanding and costly task.

FAQs

What does "hard to sustain" mean?

The phrase "hard to sustain" means that something is difficult to maintain, continue, or support over a period of time. It implies that the current situation or effort is challenging to keep going without significant changes or resources.

How can I use "hard to sustain" in a sentence?

You can use "hard to sustain" to describe various situations, such as: "This rapid growth is "hard to sustain" without additional investment" or "Their initial enthusiasm was "hard to sustain" after facing numerous setbacks".

What are some alternatives to "hard to sustain"?

Some alternatives to "hard to sustain" include "difficult to maintain", "challenging to uphold", or "tough to perpetuate". The best choice depends on the specific context and what you want to emphasize.

Is it better to use "difficult to sustain" or "hard to sustain"?

Both "difficult to sustain" and "hard to sustain" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the desired tone. "Difficult" might sound slightly more formal, while "hard" is more common in everyday conversation.