sustained

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "sustained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb to describe the action of something continuing for a long period over time. For example: "The company has sustained a steady growth over the past decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Business

Books

Lifestyle

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

He sustained multiple injuries and was dead on arrival at hospital.

The Guardian

Rafael Nadal's searing honesty has always sustained him in troubled times and, while the Spaniard is perhaps a couple of defeats short of a crisis, he admits this summer has not been one of his best.

The Guardian - Sport

They will plough on, hoping that there will eventually be a sustained recovery and that it will be accompanied by a turnaround in the fortunes of their parties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Initial assessments found the airstrip sustained "minor to light" damage, and is open to medical emergency aircraft but not public flights.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, collectors of recherché celebrity litigation may find much to delight them in the tale of one Charles Sarris, who is suing a stage equipment company for injuries sustained during the construction of a giant pink tongue for Miley Cyrus's current Bangerz tour.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

By creating a more diverse role for the STUC, Christie sustained its prominence in public life and became a fixture on every cross-party platform for the next 20 years.

The Guardian

Almost exactly two years ago a 23-year-old physiotherapist died of injuries sustained when brutally raped by six men on a bus in Delhi on a weekend evening.

The Guardian

The suspension imposed by MLB as modified herein is hereby sustained.

The Guardian - Sport

Until the last few weeks the conventional wisdom in Washington, London and Arab capitals was that Isis had been forced on to the back foot, suffering from shortages of cash, weapons and problems of resupply, even if its morale was sustained by a slick propaganda machine that kept attracting recruits.

The Guardian

South Australia sustained a large amount of the funding cuts, with the closure of the Port Augusta office and an end to local production.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sustained" to describe efforts, processes, or conditions that require ongoing commitment and resources for continued success. This emphasizes the importance of long-term dedication.

Common error

Avoid using "sustained" when you actually mean "sustainable". "Sustained" refers to something that continues over time, while "sustainable" describes something that can be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting resources or causing environmental damage.

Linguistic Context

The word "sustained" functions primarily as a past participle of the verb "sustain", often used adjectivally to describe something that has been maintained or continued. Ludwig examples show it describing "sustained recovery" or "sustained attack".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Sport

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Business

5%

Books

3%

Lifestyle

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sustained" is a versatile term functioning as both a verb (past participle) and an adjective, primarily used to denote continuity or maintenance over time. Ludwig examples reveal its common usage across diverse contexts, especially in news and media, sports, and opinion pieces. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it appears frequently in authoritative sources like The Guardian. When writing, remember that "sustained" differs from "sustainable", and consider using alternatives like "maintained" or "continued" for stylistic variation. In short, "sustained" is a crucial term for expressing persistence and duration in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintained

Emphasizes the act of keeping something in its current state or condition.

continued

Highlights the uninterrupted progression of something over time.

endured

Focuses on withstanding or experiencing something difficult or challenging over a period.

prolonged

Implies extending the duration of something, often beyond its expected or normal length.

protracted

Similar to prolonged, but often suggests an unwelcome or tedious extension.

persisted

Highlights the act of continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action despite difficulty or opposition.

upheld

Stresses the act of supporting or defending something, especially a principle or decision.

supported

Indicates providing assistance or resources to enable something to continue or thrive.

preserved

Emphasizes the act of keeping something safe from harm or decay.

continued unabated

Suggests that something has continued without any reduction in intensity or strength.

FAQs

How can "sustained" be used in a sentence?

"Sustained" can describe something maintained over time, like "sustained effort", or injuries someone "sustained", as in "sustained injuries".

What are some alternatives to using the word "sustained"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "maintained", "continued", or "endured" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "sustained growth" or "sustainable growth"?

Both are correct, but they mean different things. "Sustained growth" means growth that has continued for a period, while "sustainable growth" means growth that can continue long-term without negative consequences.

What is the difference between "sustained" and "prolonged"?

"Sustained" generally means maintained or continued, while "prolonged" implies extending the duration of something, often beyond what is typical or desirable. The difference between the two is in duration and if it is welcome or not.