sustain yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustain yourself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is typically used as an encouragement or advice, and it means to take care of yourself, maintain a healthy lifestyle, or stay strong in difficult times. For example: "Sustain yourself with good nutrition, a healthy sleep schedule, and a positive attitude during this trying time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

You did what you could to sustain yourself.

The Guardian - Arts

This is a very difficult game [in which] to really sustain yourself.

Independent

Of swinging a bag on to your back that contains all you need to sustain yourself, then doing it.

The Guardian - Travel

"It's a tricky thing, once you get to be a certain size as an open-source project, how do you sustain yourself?

The New Yorker

Now "things are moving very quickly; we represent 15 artists... maybe we are a product of the boom, but you hope you've got the quality to sustain yourself".

The Guardian

Looking around the show last week, Arlene told me that over the years, "it's hard to sustain yourself when you're not working" consistently.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Those who do often discover that getting started can be the relatively easy bit: it's getting programmed and developing and sustaining yourself as a writer that's the really difficult bit.

The Guardian

This concept fascinated me -- to be able to do good while sustaining yourself and not relying on others for monetary donation.

Huffington Post

Given that you've probably spent the last few days aimlessly wandering around your parents' house in a pair of battered jogging bottoms sustaining yourself on chocolate, cans of cola, and thinkpieces about how weird the period between Christmas and New Years is, you could be forgiven for not noticing until now that Goldie has been granted an MBE in this year's Honours list.

Vice

Give serious consideration to vegetarianism and veganism as your future way of sustaining yourself.

WikiHow

It is hard to understand this when you are young, but preparing to be a good faculty member means preparing yourself to sustain a career for 30 to 35 years.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone on long-term projects or challenging situations, use "sustain yourself" to encourage them to prioritize their physical, emotional, and mental health. For example, "During your startup phase, remember to "sustain yourself" with regular breaks and a balanced diet."

Common error

Avoid using "sustain yourself" when you mean "support yourself" financially. "Sustain yourself" implies maintaining overall well-being, while "support yourself" refers to providing for your material needs. Instead of saying "I need a job to "sustain myself"", say "I need a job to "support myself"".

Linguistic Context

"Sustain yourself" functions primarily as a reflexive verb phrase, indicating the action of maintaining or supporting one's own well-being, resources, or existence. It's often used in contexts where self-reliance and self-care are emphasized, which is validated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Wiki

27%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sustain yourself" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the importance of maintaining one's own well-being. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. As evidenced by the many examples found through Ludwig, it is prevalent in news, wiki, and scientific sources. When writing, remember that while "sustain yourself" focuses on general well-being, "support yourself" refers specifically to financial independence. So, prioritize taking care of yourself!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

support yourself

Focuses on providing the necessities for living, such as food and shelter.

maintain your well-being

Emphasizes the preservation of physical and mental health.

take care of yourself

Highlights the act of attending to one's own needs and comfort.

keep yourself going

Suggests continuing to function or persevere, especially under difficult conditions.

preserve your strength

Stresses the conservation of physical or mental energy.

nourish your body

Specifically refers to providing the necessary nutrients for physical health.

fuel your activities

Implies providing the necessary energy or resources to perform tasks or pursue interests.

fortify your resilience

Highlights the strengthening of one's ability to recover from difficulties.

bolster your spirits

Focuses on uplifting one's mood or morale.

ensure your survival

Emphasizes the act of securing one's continued existence, often in challenging situations.

FAQs

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

You can use "sustain yourself" to talk about maintaining your health, energy, or resources, especially during a difficult period. For example, "It's important to "sustain yourself" with healthy food and enough sleep during exam season."

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

"Sustain yourself" refers to maintaining your overall well-being (health, energy, morale), while "support yourself" refers to providing the financial resources needed to live. Use "support yourself" when talking about earning money for living expenses.

What can I say instead of "sustain yourself"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "take care of yourself", "maintain your well-being", or "keep yourself going".

Is "sustaining yourself" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sustaining yourself" is the gerund form of the verb phrase "sustain yourself" and is grammatically correct. For example, "Sustaining yourself during a marathon requires proper hydration and nutrition."