sustaining that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustaining that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of maintaining or continuing a particular state, condition, or argument. Example: "The team is focused on sustaining that level of performance throughout the season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Head voice would have meant not going into the passagio and sustaining that sort of modified shout, which is the way tenors make their top notes exciting.

The Guardian

"It is just a matter of sustaining that pace".

The New York Times

But sustaining that rate will be hard for Japanese policy makers.

The New York Times

What is it that's keeping us from achieving and sustaining that excellence?

The New York Times - Sports

There was no way of sustaining that, so they embarked on a complete restructuring.

The Guardian - Sport

But try sustaining that narrative after tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"You want to be part of a continuity beyond your time," he eventually answered, "something self-sustaining that will change the way the world is going.

The New York Times

Until lots of psychoanalysis (which I try to handle quickly in the book; as Henry James said: Tell a dream, lose a reader), I was remote, controlled, self-sustaining (that is, lonely), shabbily dressed, and near with a dollar.

The New Yorker

"To make them self-sustaining, that may take half a century or a century.

BBC

If this trend continues, with media partners pulling their best content from Hulu once it becomes self-sustaining, that could turn into a long-term problem for Hulu.

TechCrunch

IX) Pricing structure: In the pricing structure sub-component there is a unique market price or least price (set to make the enterprise self-sustaining) that matters for both economic and social values.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sustaining that", ensure the context clearly identifies what "that" refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the connection between the current statement and the preceding information.

Common error

Avoid using "sustaining that" when the context implies creating or initiating something new, rather than maintaining an existing state. Use "establishing that" or "initiating that" instead to accurately reflect the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustaining that" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the action of maintaining or continuing something previously mentioned. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sustaining that" is a grammatically correct and commonly used gerund phrase that focuses on the act of maintaining or continuing a previously established state or action. According to Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in news, scientific, and business contexts. To ensure clear communication, it's vital to ensure that "that" has a clear referent in the surrounding text. Alternatives such as "maintaining that" or "preserving that" can provide slight variations in emphasis, while avoiding common errors, such as mistakenly using it to describe the action of creating something new, will enhance the quality of your writing. "Sustaining that" is versatile enough for both neutral and formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintaining that

Focuses on keeping something at its current level or state.

preserving that

Emphasizes protecting something from change or damage to ensure its continuation.

continuing that

Highlights the ongoing nature of an action or state.

prolonging that

Suggests extending the duration of something.

upholding that

Implies supporting or defending something to ensure its continuation.

keeping up that

Focuses on maintaining a certain level or pace.

supporting that

Highlights providing assistance or resources to ensure something continues.

fostering that

Suggests actively encouraging and nurturing something to help it grow and continue.

nourishing that

Emphasizes providing what is needed for something to thrive and continue.

cultivating that

Implies carefully developing and maintaining something over time.

FAQs

How to use "sustaining that" in a sentence?

Use "sustaining that" to describe the act of maintaining or continuing a particular condition or level. For example, "The company is focused on sustaining that growth." In this case growth is an object and should be a noun.

What can I say instead of "sustaining that"?

You can use alternatives like "maintaining that", "preserving that", or "continuing that" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "sustaining that" in formal writing?

Yes, "sustaining that" is appropriate for formal writing as it is grammatically correct and widely used in various professional and academic contexts. However, make sure the context is clear and the referent of "that" is easily understood.

What's the difference between "sustaining that" and "achieving that"?

"Sustaining that" refers to maintaining a state that has already been reached, while "achieving that" refers to reaching a state or goal that has not yet been attained. They are opposite actions.