sustain for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustain for" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express the idea of maintaining or supporting something for a specific duration or purpose, but it lacks clarity. Example: "We need to sustain for a longer period to see the results."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is the maximum level you can sustain for an hour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That was a hard act to sustain for actors in middle age.

The New York Times - Books

Creativity is hard enough to sustain for individuals, let alone organisations.

The Economist

Ms Siemicka says they are "not practical to sustain for a long amount of time".

Independent

An expansion from 28 to 33 cinemas will have helped with the healthy sustain for the Céline Sciamma-directed film.

The Guardian - Film

Expertise is thought to be not a static condition but one that doctors must build and sustain for themselves.

The New Yorker

A quick way of drawing the reader close but also hard to sustain for any length of time.

The New Yorker

But Slade's line kicking and his running posed the kind of threat that Exeter could not sustain for long enough.

Independent

From there, the Nets built an energy that they hope to sustain for this extended stretch of away games.

The New York Times - Sports

"He's trying to create new versions of the superhero movie which I think it can sustain for quite a while".

Independent

Now, OPEC wants to ensure that the price of oil stays somewhere between $25 and $30 a barrel -- something it rarely has been able to sustain for long.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, substitute "sustain for" with more precise alternatives like "maintain for", "support for", or "continue to" to ensure your intended meaning is accurately conveyed. Tailor your choice to reflect whether you mean to keep something in its current state, provide necessary aid, or simply continue an action.

Common error

Avoid using "sustain for" as a catch-all. Instead, pinpoint the specific action you're describing – is it about maintaining stability, offering support, or simply continuing an activity? This specificity enhances clarity and precision in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustain for" functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe the act of maintaining or prolonging something over a period. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it's often grammatically weak and lacks precision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "sustain for" appears frequently across various sources, it's often considered grammatically weak and imprecise. Ludwig AI suggests that it lacks clarity and can be improved by using more specific alternatives like "maintain for", "support for", or "continue to", depending on the intended meaning. The phrase is commonly found in news, scientific, and general web content, suggesting a broad but sometimes imprecise application. When writing, consider the specific action you wish to describe and choose a phrase that accurately reflects whether you aim to maintain stability, offer support, or simply continue an activity. This will ensure your writing is both clear and grammatically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain for

Emphasizes the act of keeping something in its current state for a duration.

support for

Highlights providing necessary resources or assistance over a period.

continue to

Focuses on the ongoing nature of an action or state.

endure for

Stresses the ability to withstand challenges or difficulties over time.

prolong for

Implies extending the duration of something.

keep up for

Suggests maintaining a certain level or pace over a specified period.

uphold for

Indicates maintaining principles or standards over a period.

preserve for

Highlights protecting something from harm or decay over time.

persevere for

Emphasizes continuing despite obstacles to achieve something.

extend to

Focuses on how to make something larger or longer.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "sustain for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "maintain for", "support for", or "continue to". These options often provide greater clarity and grammatical correctness.

Is "sustain for" grammatically correct?

While "sustain for" appears in various sources, it's often considered grammatically weak. It's better to opt for clearer and more precise alternatives to ensure your writing is both accurate and easily understood.

How can I use "maintain for" instead of "sustain for"?

Use "maintain for" when you want to emphasize keeping something in its current state over a period. For example, instead of saying 'We need to sustain this level of performance for the next quarter', say 'We need to "maintain for" this level of performance for the next quarter'.

What's the difference between "sustain for" and "support for"?

"Sustain for" generally implies keeping something going, whereas "support for" suggests providing necessary resources or assistance. Choose the phrase that best fits the action you're describing.