sustainable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sustainable" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to practices or methods that are designed to create social, economic, and environmental benefits that are long-lasting and can be maintained over time. For example, "The company plans to develop sustainable practices to reduce its environmental footprint."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Only the US – which borrowed massively, restructured its banks and printed money on a historic scale – enjoys anything like a sustainable recovery, and even that's being sustained only by the promise that quantitative easing will go on ad infinitum.

The Guardian - Opinion

I want a sustainable, peaceful two-state solution.

The Guardian

That is not sustainable.

The New York Times

The Live Better Challenge is funded by Unilever; its focus is sustainable living.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the deal demonstrated her support for "responsible and sustainable development" of the port and the Galilee Basin, inland from Bowen in north Queensland.

The Guardian

CleanStar has steered clear of monoculture crops in favour of sustainable farming methods.

The Guardian

Twelve of us worked with fantastic tutors, taking inspiration from natural systems, learning about sustainable ways to produce food, generate energy, house ourselves, create a community, think and live well.

The Guardian - Travel

He not only had a lot of the right targets and policies for creating a sustainable London, he was also starting to green the way that money was spent by the Metropolitan Police, Transport for London and the London Development Agency.

The Guardian - Opinion

That is why the UK and Australia are committed to scaling up financing - not just after 2012, but now, and why we are supporting the establishment of new funds administered by the World Bank for clean technologies, sustainable forestry, and for adaptation to climate change.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have a mandate for a sustainable solution within the eurozone Yannis Dragasakis Athens is in a race against the clock to unlock €7.2bn (£5.3bn) in rescue loans the EU and IMF have refused to disburse until the government delivers a convincing package of reforms.

The Guardian

Peter Carter, chief executive and general secretary of the RCN, said: "Whoever forms the next government must learn from this report and take immediate action to grow the nursing workforce and ensure it can keep up with demand with a sustainable and long-term plan.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental topics, use "sustainable" to emphasize long-term viability and minimal environmental impact. For example, "sustainable agriculture" focuses on farming methods that maintain soil health and biodiversity over time.

Common error

Avoid using "sustainable" to describe short-term solutions or initiatives. "Sustainable" implies a long-term commitment and the ability to maintain practices indefinitely. For short-term solutions, consider words like "temporary" or "interim".

Linguistic Context

The word "sustainable" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something capable of being maintained at a certain rate or level, especially without depleting natural resources or causing severe ecological damage. Ludwig examples showcase its use in contexts such as "sustainable recovery" and "sustainable development".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "sustainable" functions as an adjective, describing practices or systems that can be maintained over the long term, particularly without depleting resources or causing environmental harm. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is very common, especially in News & Media, Formal & Business, and scientific contexts. When using "sustainable", ensure it reflects a commitment to long-term viability rather than short-term fixes. Alternatives include "environmentally friendly" and "long-term", depending on the specific aspect you wish to emphasize. Use "sustainable" to advocate for responsible and conscious approaches to various challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

environmentally friendly

Focuses specifically on the environmental impact and reduced harm to the environment.

eco-friendly

Similar to environmentally friendly, emphasizing ecological benefits.

earth-friendly

Similar to environmentally friendly, with a focus on the well-being of the planet.

resource-efficient

Highlights the efficient use of resources to minimize waste and environmental impact.

long-term

Emphasizes the enduring nature of a practice or system.

renewable

Focuses on resources that can be replenished naturally.

durable

Stresses the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage.

viable

Highlights the ability to function effectively and survive.

conservational

Related to the conservation of natural resources.

self-sufficient

Emphasizes the ability to maintain oneself without external assistance.

FAQs

How can I use "sustainable" in a sentence?

Use "sustainable" to describe practices that can be maintained indefinitely without depleting resources or causing environmental harm. For example, "This city is implementing "sustainable transportation" options to reduce carbon emissions."

What's the difference between "sustainable" and "renewable"?

"Sustainable" refers to the ability to maintain something over time, while "renewable" specifically describes resources that can be naturally replenished. A "sustainable practice" might use renewable resources, but not all renewable resources are used sustainably.

What are some alternatives to the word "sustainable"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "environmentally friendly", "eco-friendly", or "long-term" to convey similar meanings to "sustainable".

Is it correct to say something is "unsustainable"?

Yes, "unsustainable" is the opposite of "sustainable" and describes practices or systems that cannot be maintained indefinitely due to resource depletion, environmental damage, or other factors. For instance, "Deforestation is an "unsustainable practice" that leads to habitat loss and climate change."