he sustains that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he sustains that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey that someone maintains or supports a particular argument or belief. Example: "In his essay, he sustains that climate change is primarily caused by human activity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Instead of resolving the musical tensions of this chord, as any previous composer would have done, he keeps the music in a heightened state of limbo by continually avoiding answering the harmonic questions it asks, and he sustains that sense of febrile ambiguity throughout all three acts of the drama right until the very end of the piece.

The Guardian - Music

But he sustains that gee-whiz note of surprise throughout the book, even when wondering whether a show about the White House staff could really find a television audience.

The New York Times - Books

Thus, he sustains that "all the special features of this industry, in fact, stem from the prevalence of uncertainty".

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He sustained that zest even with an aching right heel that has been keeping him up at night.

The New York Times

A later, slightly anticlimatic scene shows how he sustained that scar to his head – by falling, a bit pissed, off the back of a lorry.

The Guardian - Film

Beckett made everybody's music sound better, without showing the slightest desire to draw attention to himself, and he sustained that balance all his life.

The Guardian - Music

"If we look back in three or four years' time and he's performing like he is now... He's performing like Messi and Ronaldo do every week at the moment, but can he sustain that?

Independent

Therefore, Humphrey today, even though he sustained that painful impulses do originate peripherally from cephalic vessels and that sumatriptan acts almost entirely peripherally [19], moves his attention towards the brain!  .

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Therefore, Humphrey today, even though he sustained that painful impulses do originate peripherally from cephalic vessels and that sumatriptan acts almost entirely peripherally [19], moves his attention towards the brain!

The Journal of Headache and Pain

He creates and sustains that illusion more elegantly than most as he works to make the person in the uniform more visible.

The New York Times - Books

It is a wonder that he can sustain that sort of equipoise.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, replace the phrase "he sustains that" with alternatives like "he maintains that" or "he asserts that" to ensure smoother and more accurate communication.

Common error

Avoid using "sustains" when you mean "maintains" or "asserts" in the context of stating an opinion or belief. "Sustain" typically implies supporting or upholding something over time, not simply expressing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he sustains that" attempts to function as a declarative statement, indicating someone's ongoing support for an idea or argument. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction does not follow standard English grammar. Using "maintains" or "asserts" is preferable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he sustains that" presents a grammatical challenge. While intended to convey that someone consistently supports or believes in something, it's not considered standard English. Ludwig AI flags it as incorrect, advising alternatives like "he maintains that" or "he asserts that". Though examples exist across News & Media and Science, the phrase's grammatical dubiousness and rareness suggest it's best avoided in formal writing. Opting for grammatically sound alternatives ensures clarity and strengthens communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he maintains that

Replaces "sustains" with "maintains", suggesting a continued assertion or defense of a belief.

he insists that

Substitutes "sustains" with "insists", emphasizing a firm and unwavering declaration.

he asserts that

Uses "asserts" in place of "sustains", focusing on a confident and forceful statement.

he argues that

Replaces "sustains" with "argues", highlighting the presentation of reasons or evidence for a belief.

he contends that

Employs "contends" instead of "sustains", indicating a position taken in a debate or discussion.

he upholds that

Substitutes "sustains" with "upholds", suggesting support or defense, often in the face of opposition.

he defends that

Uses "defends" to replace "sustains", indicating a more active protection of an idea against criticism.

he advocates that

Replaces "sustains" with "advocates", emphasizing support for a cause or policy.

he champions that

Substitutes "sustains" with "champions", highlighting enthusiastic and vigorous support.

he stands by that

Uses "stands by" instead of "sustains", conveying unwavering support or loyalty.

FAQs

What is the difference between "he sustains that" and "he maintains that"?

"He sustains that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "he maintains that", which means he continues to believe or assert something.

Is it correct to say "he sustains that"?

No, the phrase "he sustains that" is not considered standard English. More appropriate alternatives include "he asserts that" or "he maintains that".

What are some alternatives to the incorrect phrase "he sustains that"?

Better alternatives to "he sustains that" are "he argues that", "he insists that", or "he contends that".

How can I use "he maintains that" in a sentence?

Use "he maintains that" to express that someone firmly believes or consistently asserts something. For example, "He maintains that the Earth is flat, despite scientific evidence to the contrary."