sustains

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sustains' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means to keep or maintain, either physical or emotional support. Example sentence: The community sustains the local farmers through donations and support.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I think what sustains Brighton's coffee shops is the fact that there are so many freelancers and creatives in the city," he says.

The Guardian

The same explanation sustains female genital mutilation (FGM).

The Guardian

If the economy tanks because public spending no longer sustains as much private activity, he and Osborne will have to prime the pump as unemployment rises.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ian McEwan has mounted a fierce defence of free speech in an address to students at a US college, telling his audience that "freedom of expression sustains all the other freedoms we enjoy", and that "without free speech, democracy is a sham".

The Guardian - Books

Watch how she sustains those pirouettes in attitude at 0 31 and 0 38, and note the part played by her arms.

The Guardian

With a reported production budget of only $8.5m, this was potentially an attractively priced acquisition for UK distributor eOne, especially if word-of-mouth sustains.

The Guardian - Film

"AN ATTACKING force always sustains more casualties," said a Sri Lankan army commander, seeking to dismiss the army's large losses in an attack on Tamil Tiger rebels.

The Economist

That sustains a break with investment-led growth that dates back to 2011.

The Economist

That was worrying because the collective faith that sustains the NPT is easily frayed.

The Economist

Ammonia synthesised using the Haber-Bosch process underpinned the "green revolution" in the second half of the 20th century and its associated population boom; today it sustains one-third of the world's population.

The Economist

Critics of Israeli policy argue that the country denies basic human rights to millions of Palestinians on the West Bank and in Gaza, and sustains its occupation of Arab land with indiscriminate force.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sustains", consider the specific nuance you want to convey: is it about maintaining, supporting, or prolonging? Choose synonyms accordingly to enhance clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "sustains" in overly formal contexts where simpler verbs like "keeps" or "supports" might sound more natural. Context is key to effective communication.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sustains" is as a transitive verb. It describes an action performed on an object, indicating that something or someone is maintaining or supporting something else. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing it in use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "sustains" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term signifying maintenance, support, or prolongation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and applicability across diverse contexts, especially in news, business, and scientific domains. While versatile, careful consideration of context helps avoid overuse in excessively formal writing. Related phrases such as "maintains" and ""supports"" offer nuanced alternatives. Remember to choose the synonym that best fits the intended meaning for enhanced clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintains

Focuses on keeping something in its current state without necessarily implying support or nourishment.

supports

Emphasizes providing assistance or resources to keep something functioning or existing.

upholds

Suggests defending or preserving something, often a principle or standard.

preserves

Highlights the act of protecting something from harm or decay to maintain its original condition.

nourishes

Implies providing sustenance or care to promote growth or health.

funds

Specifically refers to providing financial resources to support an activity or organization.

bolsters

Suggests strengthening or reinforcing something that is already in place.

keeps alive

Emphasizes preventing something from ceasing to exist or function.

carries on

Focuses on continuing an activity or process without interruption.

underpins

Highlights the foundational support that something provides to a larger structure or system.

FAQs

How to use "sustains" in a sentence?

The verb "sustains" means to maintain, support, or endure something. For example, "The community "supports" the local farmers through donations", or "The love for his family "endures" despite the hardships."

What can I say instead of "sustains"?

You can use alternatives like "maintains", ""supports"", or "preserves" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sustains" or "maintain"?

"Sustains" is the third-person singular present tense form of the verb "sustain", while "maintain" is the base form. Use "sustains" when the subject is singular (e.g., "The government sustains the economy"), and "maintain" with plural subjects (e.g., "They maintain the building").

What's the difference between "sustains" and "supports"?

"Sustains" implies a continuous effort to keep something in existence or in a particular state, while ""supports"" suggests providing assistance or resources. Sustaining is about continuation, while supporting is about providing aid.