sustaining the problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sustaining the problem" is grammatically correct but may not be commonly used in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing the continuation or maintenance of an issue or challenge. Example: "The team's focus on sustaining the problem has hindered their ability to find effective solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

De Bruyne limped out of City's sixth successive Premier League victory under Guardiola on Saturday – a 3-1 win at Swansea City – after sustaining the problem.

The Guardian - Sport

The 29-year-old withdrew from the England squad on Friday after sustaining the problem in training.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The midfielder sustained the problem during the club's trip to the US and he was unable to play in the victory against Chivas on Sunday.

The Guardian - Sport

The weakened economy is beginning to eat into the projected federal budget surplus, complicating the agendas of the two parties in Washington and setting off a debate among economists about how big and sustained the problem will be.

The New York Times

Cissokho sustained the problem early on in Tuesday's 4-2 extra-time Capital One Cup second-round victory over Notts County at Anfield, in which he was making his first start since joining on a season-long loan from Valencia.

Independent

Sturridge sustained the problem during Liverpool's 2-1 Premier League defeat by Manchester United on Sunday.

BBC

The Wales flanker sustained the problem during the Lions' 16-15 second-Test defeat in Melbourne at the weekend.

BBC

The Arsenal midfielder, 31, sustained the problem in the 2-1 win over Greece and missed the 1-0 win against Poland.

BBC

The 33-year-old sustained the problem during Ireland's training session at the ICC Academy on Wednesday.

BBC

The Lancastrian sustained the problem during day two in Cardiff and twice had to leave the field for treatment.

BBC

The defender sustained the problem in the opening-day win over West Brom , but despite an initial prognosis of six weeks out, Vidic is no nearer a return.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing ongoing issues, consider whether "sustaining the problem" accurately reflects the intention. Alternatives like "perpetuating the issue" or "prolonging the challenge" might provide greater clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "sustaining the problem" when a more active verb would strengthen the sentence. Instead of "The current policies are sustaining the problem", try "The current policies perpetuate the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustaining the problem" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun. It typically identifies the ongoing maintenance or continuation of a negative situation, issue, or difficulty. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct, but careful consideration is advised to ensure clarity and impact.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sustaining the problem" is a grammatically correct phrase that describes the act of maintaining or perpetuating an issue. However, its usage is relatively rare, and, as Ludwig suggests, it might benefit from being replaced with clearer or more impactful alternatives like "perpetuating the issue" or "prolonging the challenge". It's most commonly found in news and scientific contexts. Pay attention to clarity, and consider whether a more active verb would create a stronger, more direct statement. While grammatically sound, alternative wordings may enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

perpetuating the issue

Focuses on the act of causing the problem to continue.

maintaining the difficulty

Highlights the act of keeping a difficult situation in its current state.

prolonging the challenge

Emphasizes extending the duration of a difficult situation.

continuing the predicament

Focuses on the ongoing nature of an unfavorable situation.

preserving the crisis

Suggests an effort to keep a critical situation from resolving.

upholding the adversity

Highlights the act of supporting or defending a negative situation.

fuelling the problem

Implies actively worsening the situation.

aggravating the situation

Focuses on making the problem worse or more serious.

exacerbating the trouble

Similar to aggravating, but with a stronger emphasis on worsening existing issues.

perpetuating the cycle of problems

Highlights the cyclical nature of the issue being sustained.

FAQs

What does "sustaining the problem" mean?

The phrase "sustaining the problem" refers to actions or conditions that allow an issue or difficulty to continue or persist. It implies that something is preventing the problem from being resolved or improving.

How can I use "sustaining the problem" in a sentence?

You can use "sustaining the problem" to describe factors that contribute to the continuation of a negative situation. For example, "Lack of investment is "sustaining the problem" of poverty in the region".

Are there more common alternatives to "sustaining the problem"?

Yes, alternatives like "perpetuating the issue", "maintaining the difficulty", or "prolonging the challenge" are often used and might sound more natural depending on the context.

Is "sustaining the problem" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sustaining the problem" is grammatically correct, but it's important to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning and isn't a weaker or less clear alternative to a more direct verb.