have been sustained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have been sustained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has been maintained or continued over a period of time. Example: "The efforts to improve community health have been sustained through various initiatives and programs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Specifically, this study aims to explore three facets of sustainability: (1) What changes in the implementation process and outcome have been sustained?

Health & Justice

Others say that the growth could not have been sustained.

The New York Times

But since World War II, there have been sustained increases.

The New York Times - Magazine

(More commonly, however, gains from Open Court have been sustained).

The New York Times

The statement continued: "Thanks to our legal victories, our standards of membership have been sustained.

The New York Times

The successes have been sustained for almost four years — all because of a stupid little checklist.

The New Yorker

For such an angle and speed "there must have been sustained input from the cockpit".

The Guardian

However, it's conceivable that many of them may have been sustained through siege warfare.

Independent

The wounds are thought to have been sustained during Thursday night's shootout.

Independent

Human rights groups have been sustained by pressure from international donors who provide a large part of the Cambodian budget.

The New York Times

In past centuries, its 164 households would have been sustained by the output of local farms and dairies.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have been sustained", ensure the context clearly indicates what efforts or conditions have allowed something to continue over time. For instance, specify the factors that helped maintain progress or prevent decline.

Common error

Avoid using "have been sustained" without explaining what contributed to the continuation. Simply stating something "have been sustained" lacks depth; clarify the conditions or actions that enabled the continuation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have been sustained" functions as a passive voice construction of the verb "sustain", indicating that something has been maintained or continued over a period. As Ludwig AI suggests, this construction is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have been sustained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction to indicate that something has been maintained or prolonged over time. Ludwig AI confirms this, and the examples provided show its application across diverse fields like science, news, and general discourse. While versatile, it's best to specify what allowed the subject to be sustained, thus increasing clarity and providing additional context. Alternative phrases, such as ""have been maintained"" and ""have been upheld"", offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have been maintained

This alternative suggests a deliberate effort to keep something in its current state.

have been upheld

This suggests something has been supported or defended, allowing it to continue.

have been continued

This emphasizes the uninterrupted progress or existence of something.

have been prolonged

This indicates something has been extended in duration, often artificially.

have been preserved

This implies an effort to protect something from decay or change, ensuring its continuation.

have been conserved

This focuses on the careful management of resources to ensure their long-term availability.

have been supported

This suggests that something has received the necessary assistance to continue functioning.

have been validated

This implies something has been confirmed or proven, leading to its continued acceptance.

have been reinforced

This indicates something has been strengthened or made more effective, allowing it to persist.

have been perpetuated

This suggests something has been actively encouraged to continue, often across generations.

FAQs

How can I use "have been sustained" in a sentence?

Use "have been sustained" to indicate that something has continued or been maintained over a period of time. For example, "The improvements in patient care "have been sustained" through ongoing training and resource allocation."

What are some alternatives to "have been sustained"?

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

Is it better to say "have been sustained" or "were sustained"?

The choice between "have been sustained" and "were sustained" depends on the time frame and perspective. "Have been sustained" implies a continuation to the present, while "were sustained" refers to a completed action in the past.

What does it mean when something "have been sustained"?

It means that something has been kept in existence or maintained at a certain level or standard for a period of time. It implies that efforts or conditions were in place to ensure its continuation.