sustained for years

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustained for years" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been maintained or continued over a long period of time. Example: "The research project has been sustained for years, yielding valuable insights into climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Mr Redstone wants his family's fortune to be sustained for years to come by the success of Viacom and CBS.

The Economist

But reform needs to be sustained for years, and that requires democratic legitimacy more than anything else.

The Economist

Deserving candidates might have included Kay Rosen, whose involvement with language has been sustained for years, as well as Rachel Khedoori, Liz Larner and Sarah Lucas.

The New York Times - Arts

America's large external deficit could be sustained for years as Asian central banks kept their currencies cheap in order to foster export-led growth.

The Economist

"An economic boycott of Arizona just adds to the massive economic burden Arizonans have sustained for years due to the federal government's failure to secure our borders," Mr. Senseman said.

The New York Times

For le Carré, spying has always been devoted to fiction-making — the creation of false identities, elaborate mirages, lies both preposterous and subtle, many of them sustained for years.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

And it should be something you can sustain for years.

Harvard University

The improvements in lipid parameters seen at 1 year were sustained for ≥2 years.

Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy

The decline in the crime rate has now been sustained for twenty-three years.

The New Yorker

Mr. Dumas said the aid must be massive and sustained for 20 years.

The New York Times

This latter value was sustained for several years prior to the initiation of source-zone remediation efforts.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the impact of long-term policies or treatments, use "sustained for years" to emphasize the prolonged effect and stability.

Common error

Avoid using "sustained for years" when describing effects that only last for a few months or a single year. Ensure the duration genuinely spans multiple years to maintain accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustained for years" functions as an adjectival modifier, typically describing a noun by indicating the duration over which it has been maintained or supported. This is observed in Ludwig's examples, such as describing economic growth or policy effects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sustained for years" is a grammatically correct and commonly used prepositional phrase to describe the longevity of an action, condition, or result. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for formal and neutral contexts, and is frequently found in news, scientific and business domains. When using this phrase, it is important to ensure that the context accurately reflects a duration spanning multiple years. Alternatives such as ""maintained over years"" or ""persisted for years"" can be used to provide similar nuances. Remember, "sustained" emphasizes the endurance and stability of something over an extended period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintained over years

Replaces "sustained" with "maintained", emphasizing continued upkeep.

continued through years

Uses "continued" to highlight the ongoing nature across multiple years.

endured across years

Implies a sense of resilience or perseverance over a long time.

persisted for years

Stresses the uninterrupted continuation despite potential obstacles.

retained for years

Highlights the act of keeping something in a certain state over time.

upheld for years

Suggests a deliberate effort to keep something in place or in effect.

preserved for years

Emphasizes protection from decay or damage over an extended period.

prolonged through years

Focuses on extending the duration beyond an expected endpoint.

held up for years

Uses a more informal tone to indicate something remained intact or functioning.

carried on for years

Emphasizes the unbroken continuation of an activity or state.

FAQs

How can I use "sustained for years" in a sentence?

You can use "sustained for years" to describe something that has been maintained or continued over a long period. For example, "The economic growth was "sustained for years" due to effective policies."

What are some alternatives to "sustained for years"?

Alternatives include "maintained over years", "continued through years", or "persisted for years", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "sustained for years" and "sustainable for years"?

"Sustained for years" indicates that something has already been maintained over a long period. "Sustainable for years" implies that something has the capacity to be maintained in the future. For example, a practice can be "sustainable for years" if it is designed to be "sustained for years".

In what contexts is it appropriate to use the phrase "sustained for years"?

It is appropriate in contexts where you want to highlight the long-term continuation or maintenance of something, such as economic trends, medical treatments, or personal habits. It emphasizes stability and endurance over time.