he has sustained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he has sustained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who has experienced or endured something, often in the context of injuries, damages, or emotional experiences. Example: "He has sustained injuries from the accident and will need time to recover."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

He has sustained no injuries and the investigation is ongoing".

The New York Times

He has sustained a lot and never wavered.

The Guardian

He has sustained burns over 146% of his body surface".

The Guardian

"He has sustained success despite the names changing," Martelli said.

The New York Times - Sports

It is the second time in 30 months that he has sustained the injury.

The New York Times

He has sustained the effort throughout the process, pursuing the goal with determination and stamina.

The New York Times - Sports

This is the second straight season he has sustained a major injury to his left knee.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

He had sustained only cuts.

The Guardian

He had sustained a head injury during the fighting.

The New Yorker

From the neck down, he had sustained no other injuries.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He said he thought he had sustained a concussion before his touchdown.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he has sustained", ensure the context clearly indicates what was experienced, such as injuries, losses, or efforts. For example, "He has sustained significant injuries" provides more clarity than "He has sustained" alone.

Common error

Avoid using "he has sustained" when you mean he actively maintained or supported something. "Sustain" in this form implies enduring or experiencing something, not actively causing it. For active support, use phrases like "he has supported" or "he has maintained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he has sustained" functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense. It indicates an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is typically used to describe the experiencing or enduring of something, often negative, such as an injury or loss.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sports

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he has sustained" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that typically describes someone who has experienced or endured something, often negative such as an injury or a loss. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in written English. Its usage is prevalent in news and media, particularly sports reporting. While generally neutral in register, its formality can vary based on context. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in indicating what was experienced and avoid misusing it in active contexts where "maintained" or "supported" would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he has experienced

Replaces "sustained" with a more general term for undergoing something.

he has suffered

Emphasizes the negative impact of what was sustained.

he has undergone

Similar to "experienced", but slightly more formal.

he has endured

Highlights the aspect of bearing something difficult or painful.

he has incurred

Focuses on the idea of bringing something upon oneself, often unintentionally.

he has borne

A more formal and literary way of saying "he has sustained" or endured.

he has withstood

Suggests resistance and survival in the face of something challenging.

he has maintained

Implies continuation or upholding something over time, differing from the sense of enduring damage or injury.

he has upheld

Similar to "maintained", but with a stronger connotation of defending or supporting something.

he has kept up

Focuses on continuing a pace or effort, less about enduring hardship.

FAQs

How can I use "he has sustained" in a sentence?

The phrase "he has sustained" is used to describe someone who has experienced something, typically something negative like an injury or a loss. For example, "He has sustained a knee injury during the game".

What's a good alternative to "he has sustained"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "he has experienced", "he has suffered", or "he has undergone".

Is it correct to say "he has sustained success"?

Yes, "he has sustained success" is correct, and it means that he has managed to maintain his success over a period of time. However, "he has maintained success" might be a more common phrasing.

What's the difference between "he has sustained" and "he had sustained"?

"He has sustained" indicates that the sustaining occurred at some point in the past and is relevant to the present. "He had sustained" indicates that the sustaining occurred in the past before another past event.