sustained that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustained that" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of maintaining or supporting something, but it lacks clarity and proper usage. Example: "The committee sustained that the project was necessary for community development."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The House vote sustained that view.

The New York Times

(If only the entire movie sustained that level of inspiration).

The New Yorker

And to their credit, they have sustained that".

The New York Times

The court of first instance sustained that contention and the State appealed.

Cornell University

The court sustained that objection, and the record of the Texas conviction was stricken from evidence.

Cornell University

Upon full hearing the District Court sustained that contention and dismissed the bill.

Cornell University

No American city had sustained that amount of destruction since the Civil War.

University of Pennsylvania

He kept pushing, driving, working — and sustained that effort for more than two decades.

The New York Times

Well, the U.S. economy hasn't sustained that rate of growth since the nineteenth century.

The New Yorker

What has slipped many people's attention is quite how successfully the Chiefs have sustained that momentum.

The Guardian - Sport

Jeffrey explained how he and C. sustained that intimacy without ever meeting.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure the chosen verb aligns with the intended nuance. For instance, in legal contexts, "upheld that" is more appropriate than "maintained that".

Common error

Avoid using "sustained that" in formal writing. While it appears frequently, it's often grammatically questionable. Double-check whether a stronger verb like "maintained", "asserted", or "upheld" ("upheld that") would better convey your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustained that" functions as a verb phrase typically intended to convey the meaning of asserting or maintaining a belief or position. However, it is often considered grammatically questionable, as Ludwig AI indicates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

26%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "sustained that" appears frequently across diverse sources like The New York Times and academic publications, it's crucial to note that Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically questionable. This indicates a potential for misinterpretation or a lack of precision. Therefore, consider leveraging stronger alternatives such as "maintained that" or "upheld that" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. While prevalent, its grammatical dubiousness warrants caution and encourages the selection of more precise alternatives in formal writing. In short, be mindful and consider the alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintained that

Emphasizes consistency in holding a belief or position over time.

upheld that

Indicates support for a decision or ruling, often in a legal context.

held that

Indicates a formal opinion or judgment, typically in a legal or philosophical context.

asserted that

Highlights a confident and forceful declaration of a fact or belief.

supported that

Shows the act of backing or advocating for something.

contended that

Suggests an argument or debate where the speaker is putting forward a specific viewpoint.

argued that

Implies a reasoned and structured presentation of evidence to support a claim.

insisted that

Conveys a firm and unwavering belief, often in the face of opposition.

retained that

Emphasizes the act of keeping or continuing to have something.

perpetuated that

Signifies causing something to continue indefinitely.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "sustained that" in a sentence?

While "sustained that" appears in various contexts, it's often considered grammatically incorrect. It's advisable to use more precise alternatives like "maintained that" or "upheld that" depending on the intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to "sustained that"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "maintained that", "asserted that", "held that", or "upheld that" ("upheld that"). Choose the phrase that best reflects the intended nuance.

When is it appropriate to use "maintained that" instead of "sustained that"?

"Maintained that" is suitable when someone has consistently held a specific belief or position. It's a more grammatically sound alternative to "sustained that".

How does "upheld that" differ in meaning from "sustained that"?

"Upheld that" is typically used in legal or formal contexts to indicate that a decision or ruling has been supported or confirmed. Using "upheld that" rather than "sustained that" will improve the accuracy of your writing.