sustenance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word sustenance is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referencing something providing nourishment or support. For example: The sustenance provided by the government allowed the family to get back on their feet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wells envisaged fast-growing vegetation in which Cavor and Bedford lose their way before finding sustenance with magic moon mushrooms.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Most of them like power, so there is sustenance to be had in achieving and wielding power.

The Guardian

Why do people migrate to cities to live like this? Parveen – whose parents came from a village in rural Bihar before she was born – says if the government provided people with means of sustenance in their villages, they would happily live there.

The Guardian

Sign the law, and Mr Kwasniewski risks giving sustenance to religious zealots.

The Economist

Though Soviet occupation had cut off eastern Europe from receiving the largesse of the Marshall Plan, America could at least give the easterners moral, cultural and intellectual sustenance.

The Economist

These bacteria are symbiotic with their human hosts drawing sustenance from them, but also giving something in return by performing chemical transformations that human cells cannot manage and safely occupying ecological niches that might otherwise be colonised by pathogens.

The Economist

Over two weeks they drifted east almost 400 miles, landing on Torishima, a barren volcanic speck whose only sustenance was brackish water lying in puddles and nesting seabirds.

The Economist

He and the pilot drifted for 47 days braving shark attacks, Japanese strafing, hunger and burning thirst, with only rainstorms and occasional fish or birds for sustenance.

The Economist

And a vegan beverage that contains all the ingredients for human sustenance, making it unnecessary to bother eating ordinary food every again.

The Economist

Yet the organisation is not defeated, and the autonomy won by the Kurdish region of northern Iraq will inevitably give it sustenance.

The Economist

The leftovers buying media and making ads may be enough for tiny adshops, but are meagre sustenance for such huge marketing conglomerates as WPP, Omnicom and Interpublic.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sustenance" when you want to emphasize the idea of providing essential support, nourishment, or means of survival, especially in contexts related to basic needs, survival, or long-term well-being.

Common error

Avoid using "sustenance" in everyday situations where simpler words like "food" or "support" would suffice. "Sustenance" is best reserved for contexts where you want to convey a more profound or fundamental sense of providing what is necessary for life or continuation.

Linguistic Context

The noun "sustenance" functions primarily to denote something that provides essential support or nourishment for life. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. Examples include physical nourishment, as well as intellectual or spiritual support.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sustenance" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun that refers to something providing essential support or nourishment. Ludwig AI confirms it's used in a wide range of contexts, from news and media to encyclopedias and scientific publications. While versatile, it’s best suited for situations where you want to emphasize the fundamental nature of the support being provided. Alternatives include "nourishment", "livelihood", and "support", among others. Remember to reserve "sustenance" for contexts where its more profound meaning is appropriate, avoiding overuse in simple, everyday situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nourishment

Focuses specifically on the provision of nutrients essential for life and growth.

nourishment provision

Highlights the act of providing essential resources and nutrients.

means of survival

Emphasizes the elements necessary for continuing to live or exist.

livelihood

Refers to the resources and activities involved in securing basic necessities.

support

A broad term encompassing both material and emotional aid.

aliment

A formal term for food or nourishment.

maintenance

Implies the upkeep and continuation of something, often referring to financial or material support.

upkeep

Highlights the resources and efforts required to maintain a certain standard of living.

keep

Suggests the provision of resources to maintain someone's well-being or existence.

bread and butter

An idiomatic expression referring to one's basic means of income or sustenance.

FAQs

How can I use "sustenance" in a sentence?

"Sustenance" is a noun that refers to something that provides support or nourishment. For example, "The refugees relied on international aid for their daily "sustenance"" or "The artist found intellectual "sustenance" in classical literature".

What are some alternatives to "sustenance"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "nourishment", "livelihood", "support", "maintenance", or "keep". The best choice depends on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "sustenance" in formal writing?

Yes, "sustenance" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a sophisticated word that conveys a sense of fundamental support or nourishment. It is often used in academic, scientific, and journalistic contexts.

What is the difference between "sustenance" and "subsistence"?

"Sustenance" refers to something that provides support or nourishment, while "subsistence" refers to the minimum resources needed to support life. "Subsistence" often implies a minimal or basic level of support, whereas "sustenance" can refer to any level of support, whether basic or abundant.