has been sustaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been sustaining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing action or state of support or maintenance that started in the past and continues into the present. Example: "The organization has been sustaining its efforts to provide aid to the community for over a decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It has been sustaining writers in difficulty since Coleridge.

The Guardian - Books

Three hours' drive away in Chicago a society that has been sustaining too few for too long was collapsing dramatically.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, another critical fundamental factor that has been sustaining high gold prices might prove far more ephemeral than globalisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

In its absence, the Iraqi government has been sustaining the economy the way it always has: by putting citizens on its payroll.

The New York Times

The orchestra has been sustaining huge financial losses, mainly because of declines in ticket sales and donations; the players also blame bad decision-making.

The New York Times - Arts

"This has been sustaining us throughout these hard years, but now we're looking at the potential of turning things around," said Ms. Poole while preparing kale and spinach seeds for spring planting.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

That reputation has been sustained.

The Guardian - Sport

"But now it has been sustained.

The New York Times

There are many instances in which it has been sustained.

Cornell University

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

The Guardian - Opinion

Their "stability" has been sustained at the price of paralysis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "has been sustaining", ensure the subject is something that can actively support or maintain something else over a period.

Common error

Avoid using "has been sustaining" when referring to a single, completed action in the past. Use a simple past tense like "sustained" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been sustaining" functions as a present perfect continuous verb phrase. It indicates an action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has relevance to the present. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this expression is suitable for use in written English to describe an ongoing action of support or maintenance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been sustaining" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to indicate an ongoing action that provides support or maintenance from the past into the present. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While not extremely common, it finds frequent use in news, scientific, and business contexts. When writing, ensure you're referring to a continuous action rather than a single, completed event. Alternatives like "has maintained" or "has supported" may offer nuanced variations in meaning. The phrase's appropriateness and versatility make it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has maintained

Focuses more on the act of keeping something in its current state.

has supported

Emphasizes the provision of assistance or resources.

has upheld

Implies the preservation of a principle or decision.

has kept up

Suggests continuous effort to maintain a certain level or standard.

has perpetuated

Highlights the act of causing something to continue indefinitely.

has prolonged

Focuses on extending the duration of something.

has reinforced

Implies strengthening or solidifying something over time.

has preserved

Emphasizes the act of protecting something from harm or decay.

has fostered

Suggests nurturing and encouraging growth or development.

has underwritten

Implies financial backing or guarantee.

FAQs

How do I use "has been sustaining" in a sentence?

Use "has been sustaining" to describe an ongoing action or state of support that started in the past and continues into the present. For example, "The organization "has been sustaining" its efforts to provide aid to the community for over a decade."

What are some alternatives to "has been sustaining"?

You can use alternatives like "has maintained", "has supported", or "has upheld" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has been sustaining" or "has sustained"?

"Has been sustaining" implies an ongoing action, while "has sustained" implies a completed action with continuing effects. Choose based on whether the sustaining action is still in progress.

What's the difference between "has been sustaining" and "is sustaining"?

"Has been sustaining" refers to an action that began in the past and continues to the present, while "is sustaining" refers to an action happening only at the present moment.