sustain support

USAGE SUMMARY

"sustain support" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to mean to constantly provide assistance or aid, or to keep something going. For example, "The nonprofit organization is committed to sustaining support for people in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

History suggests that the more government restricts press coverage, the less the public is likely to sustain support of a war effort.

The New York Times

As he sees it Chávez had two main responsibilities: to sustain support for boycotts, "which he did magnificently", and to administer the union, "which he did badly".

The Economist

If that support is still there – and there is a separate debate about the political make-up to sustain support – then one hurdle is passed.

Independent

Still, the prospect that the Islamic Conference, which represents a billion Muslims worldwide, might declare opposition to the assault loomed as a crucial test for the Bush administration's ability to sustain support for military action.

The New York Times

After a while, I also suspected that quite a few medals had been hyped by those men's superior officers, perhaps to help sustain support back home for an increasingly unpopular war.

The New York Times

And the political team knew it would be hard to sustain support from Democrats if Mr. Gore dragged out the proceedings of the case and the uncertainty of the election beyond the 36 days it had already consumed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Low-income families lack liquidity, and find it hard to qualify for loans or to find the money to sustain supporting a college age student.

Huffington Post

Their success will require sustained support from donor governments.

The Guardian - Opinion

These efforts are worthy of additional and sustained support.

The Guardian

Still, the poll showed how difficult the White House's task of sustaining support for an unpopular war had become.

The New York Times

WHO's regional director for Africa Luis G Sambo emphasised this in October: "We need sustained support from all stakeholders".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sustain support", clearly define what type of support you are referring to (e.g., financial, emotional, political) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "sustain support" without specifying who or what benefits from the support. Be specific about the recipient to provide context and clarity to your writing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sustain support" is as a verb phrase followed by a noun. The verb "sustain" acts transitively, taking "support" as its direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sustain support" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies the act of maintaining or continuing assistance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears across diverse contexts, including news, science, business and academia. While variations like "maintain support" or "retain support" exist, understanding the subtle nuances of each can refine your writing. When using "sustain support", it is best practice to clearly define the type of support being discussed and for whom, ensuring clarity and impact. To maintain clarity, avoid overgeneralizing the beneficiary. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "sustain support" to convey the importance of maintaining assistance for long-term success.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain support

Focuses on keeping the existing level of assistance constant.

retain support

Emphasizes holding onto or preventing the loss of assistance already provided.

preserve support

Highlights the act of protecting assistance from being diminished or discontinued.

bolster support

Suggests strengthening or reinforcing the level of assistance.

cultivate support

Implies actively fostering and developing assistance over time.

foster support

Focuses on promoting the growth and development of assistance.

encourage support

Emphasizes motivating and inspiring others to provide assistance.

ensure backing

Stresses guaranteeing that assistance is secured and reliable.

secure assistance

Focuses on obtaining and safeguarding help or aid.

provide ongoing assistance

Highlights the continuous and uninterrupted nature of help given.

FAQs

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

You can use "sustain support" to describe efforts to maintain or continue assistance. For example, "The organization is working to sustain support for its educational programs."

What are some alternatives to "sustain support"?

Alternatives include "maintain support", "retain support", and "preserve support". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "sustain support" for a project?

To "sustain support" for a project means to ensure that it continues to receive the resources and assistance it needs to remain viable and achieve its goals over the long term.

Is it better to say "sustained support" or "sustaining support"?

Both "sustained support" and "sustaining support" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Sustained support" refers to support that has been maintained over time, while "sustaining support" refers to the act of keeping support going.