sustain a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustain a" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to maintaining or supporting something over time, such as an effort, relationship, or condition. Example: "We need to sustain a positive environment in the workplace to ensure employee satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Euphoria cannot sustain a business, however.

The New Yorker

They cannot sustain a long protracted war".

The Economist

My company can't sustain a disaster".

The New York Times

Also learning how to sustain a scene.

The Guardian - Books

He added: "I could sustain a note.

The New York Times

So what's to sustain a reader's interest?

The Guardian - Opinion

It was enough to sustain a life.

The New Yorker

He cannot sustain a cogent conversation.

The New Yorker

That is plenty to sustain a low-level insurgency.

The Economist

Yet it wasn't enough to sustain a whole novel.

The New Yorker

And that helped sustain a steady rise in commodity prices.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sustain a", ensure that the object being sustained is something that requires continuous effort or resources to maintain its state or existence.

Common error

Avoid using "sustain a" when referring to things that naturally persist without intervention. For example, it's more appropriate to "maintain a garden" than to "sustain the sun".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustain a" functions as a verb phrase, where "sustain" is a transitive verb requiring a direct object. It indicates the act of maintaining, supporting, or prolonging something. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Huffington Post

10%

Health Economics Review

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sustain a" is a versatile verb phrase used to express the act of maintaining or supporting something over time. Ludwig AI analysis indicates it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, with a neutral to formal register. The primary contexts include news and media, science, and formal business. Related phrases include "maintain a", "support a", and "preserve a", each offering a slightly different nuance. Ludwig's assessment confirms the phrase's validity and broad applicability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain a

Focuses on keeping something in its current state, often implying a consistent effort.

support a

Emphasizes providing assistance or resources to keep something going.

preserve a

Highlights the act of protecting something from harm or change, ensuring its continuation.

uphold a

Suggests defending or maintaining a principle or standard.

continue a

Simply means to keep doing something, lacking the connotation of effort or support.

prolong a

Implies extending the duration of something, often delaying its natural end.

foster a

Indicates actively encouraging the development or growth of something.

bolster a

Suggests strengthening or reinforcing something, making it more resilient.

nourish a

Implies providing the necessary elements for growth and health, often used metaphorically.

cultivate a

Emphasizes careful development and refinement over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "sustain a" when you want to express the idea of maintaining or supporting something over time. For example, "We need to sustain a positive environment in the workplace." or "The country needs policies to sustain a growing economy."

What are some alternatives to using "sustain a"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "maintain a", "support a", or "preserve a".

What is the difference between "sustain a" and "maintain a"?

"Sustain a" often implies providing continuous effort or resources to keep something going, while "maintain a" focuses on keeping something in its current state. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the effort involved.

Is it correct to say "sustain a growth"?

Yes, it is correct. "Sustain a growth" implies that you are actively working to keep the growth continuing, for example, "The government implemented new policies to sustain a growth in the economy".