Substain vs. Sustain: Mastering the Correct Spelling
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on March 13, 2024
"Substain" is a common misspelling of the correct term "sustain." Sustain means to support, maintain, or endure over time.
Which is correct: Substain or Sustain
How to spell Sustain?
Substain is Incorrect
Sustain is Correct
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Key Differences
Memorize the phrase: “To sustain is to maintain”, focusing on the shared 'tain' ending.
Visualize the word "sustain" as a bridge being supported by strong pillars.
Remember that "sustain" has the word "stain" in it, whereas "substain" doesn't make that connection.
Think of "sustain" as being able to "STAY IN" a certain condition.
Associate "sustain" with "sustainable" - both have the root "sustain".
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Correct usage of Sustain
The company is looking for ways to substain its growth over the next year.
The company is looking for ways to sustain its growth over the next year.
It's important to substain a healthy lifestyle through proper diet and exercise.
It's important to sustain a healthy lifestyle through proper diet and exercise.
We need to find a renewable resource to substain our energy needs.
We need to find a renewable resource to sustain our energy needs.
The program aims to substain support for local businesses.
The program aims to sustain support for local businesses.
They are working on a strategy to substain the project's momentum.
They are working on a strategy to sustain the project's momentum.
Sustain Definitions
To support or hold up for a period without breaking or falling.
The bridge was built to sustain heavy loads.
To experience or suffer something.
He sustained a leg injury.
To keep up or prolong.
She sustained her effort until the job was done.
To confirm or support something.
The judge sustained the lawyer's objection.
To keep in existence; maintain, continue, or prolong
Sustain an effort.
To keep up (a joke or assumed role, for example) competently.
To supply with necessities or nourishment; provide for
The income needed to sustain a family.
To support the spirits, vitality, or resolution of; encourage
We were sustained by her unflagging optimism.
To support from below; keep from falling or sinking; prop
The beams sustain the weight of the roof.
To bear up under; withstand
Can't sustain the blistering heat.
To experience or suffer
Sustained minor injuries.
To affirm the validity of
The judge has sustained the prosecutor's objection.
A capacity of a musical instrument to continue the resounding of a note or tone.
(transitive) To maintain, or keep in existence.
The professor had trouble sustaining students’ interest until the end of her lectures.
The city came under sustained attack by enemy forces.
Sam managed to sustain his erection for two straight hours.
(transitive) To provide for or nourish.
Provisions to sustain an army
(transitive) To encourage or sanction (something). en
(transitive) To experience or suffer (an injury, etc.).
The building sustained major damage in the earthquake.
(transitive) To confirm, prove, or corroborate; to uphold.
To sustain a charge, an accusation, or a proposition
To allow, accept, or admit (e.g. an objection or motion) as valid.
To keep from falling; to bear; to uphold; to support.
A foundation sustains the superstructure; an animal sustains a load; a rope sustains a weight.
To aid, comfort, or relieve; to vindicate.
(music) A mechanism which can be used to hold a note, as the right pedal on a piano.
To keep from falling; to bear; to uphold; to support; as, a foundation sustains the superstructure; a beast sustains a load; a rope sustains a weight.
Every pillar the temple to sustain.
Hence, to keep from sinking, as in despondence, or the like; to support.
No comfortable expectations of another life to sustain him under the evils in this world.
To maintain; to keep alive; to support; to subsist; to nourish; as, provisions to sustain an army.
To endure without failing or yielding; to bear up under; as, to sustain defeat and disappointment.
To suffer; to bear; to undergo.
Shall Turnus, then, such endless toil sustain?
You shall sustain more new disgraces.
To allow the prosecution of; to admit as valid; to sanction; to continue; not to dismiss or abate; as, the court sustained the action or suit.
To prove; to establish by evidence; to corroborate or confirm; to be conclusive of; as, to sustain a charge, an accusation, or a proposition.
One who, or that which, upholds or sustains; a sustainer.
I waked again, for my sustain was the Lord.
Lengthen or extend in duration or space;
We sustained the diplomatic negociations as long as possible
Prolong the treatment of the patient
Keep up the good work
Undergo (as of injuries and illnesses);
She suffered a fracture in the accident
He had an insulin shock after eating three candy bars
She got a bruise on her leg
He got his arm broken in the scuffle
Provide with nourishment;
We sustained ourselves on bread and water
This kind of food is not nourishing for young children
Supply with necessities and support;
She alone sustained her family
The money will sustain our good cause
There's little to earn and many to keep
Be the physical support of; carry the weight of;
The beam holds up the roof
He supported me with one hand while I balanced on the beam
What's holding that mirror?
Admit as valid;
The court sustained the motion
Establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts;
His story confirmed my doubts
The evidence supports the defendant
To provide the necessities for life or existence.
The land sustains various wildlife.
Sustain Sentences
The farmer uses organic practices to sustain soil fertility.
It's challenging to sustain enthusiasm for a project when progress is slow.
Maintaining a balanced budget is essential to sustain a small business.
The charity has provided funds to sustain the shelter's operations.
Communities rely on local ecosystems to sustain their way of life.
She managed to sustain her focus throughout the long exam.
Innovations in technology sustain the growth of the digital economy.
The support from fans helps to sustain a musician's career.
The government's subsidy is designed to sustain the agricultural sector.
The team needs to sustain its effort to finish the project on time.
It's important for parents to sustain open communication with their children.
Renewable energy sources are essential to sustain our future energy needs.
The foundation's grants sustain many educational initiatives.
Companies that adapt to market changes can sustain their competitiveness.
Physical activity is important to sustain mental health.
Access to clean water is vital to sustain human health and wellbeing.
The program helps young athletes sustain their performance levels.
Economic policies aim to sustain growth while controlling inflation.
Sustainable fishing practices are necessary to sustain marine life.
Adequate sleep is required to sustain optimal cognitive function.
Artists often struggle to find the inspiration to sustain their creative output.
Traditional farming techniques can sustain crop production without harming the environment.
Efforts to sustain peace in the region have been ongoing for years.
Sustain Idioms & Phrases
Sustain growth
To maintain growth over a period of time.
The new product line helped the company sustain growth despite market challenges.
Sustain interest
To keep something interesting or engaging over time.
The author's intricate plot twists sustain interest throughout the novel.
Sustain losses
To endure financial losses in a business or venture.
Despite sustaining losses in the first year, the startup remained optimistic about its future.
Sustain an effort
To continue putting effort into an activity or cause.
The team sustained an effort to the very end of the project, ensuring its success.
Sustain damage
To experience damage that affects function or structure.
The building sustained damage during the earthquake but remained standing.
Sustain momentum
To keep moving forward or progressing at the same pace.
After a strong start, the campaign struggled to sustain momentum.
Sustain a note
In music, to hold a note for its full value or even longer.
The singer was able to sustain a note for over thirty seconds, impressing the audience.
Sustain life
To provide what is needed for living beings to continue living.
Water is essential to sustain life on Earth.
Sustain support
To continue to provide support to someone or something.
The community sustained support for the family during their time of need.
Sustain a conversation
To keep a conversation going.
He was able to sustain a conversation on a variety of topics, making him a great dinner companion.
Sustain a business
To keep a business operating.
Innovative products and good customer service help sustain a business in a competitive market.
Sustain an injury
To suffer an injury.
The player sustained an injury during the match and had to be substituted.
Sustain the environment
To protect and maintain the environment.
Reducing waste and using renewable resources are ways to sustain the environment.
Sustain pressure
To maintain pressure on something or someone.
The activists sustained pressure on the government to change its policies.
Sustain a level
To maintain a certain level of performance, quality, or activity.
The athlete trained hard to sustain a high level of performance.
Sustain operations
To continue the operations of an organization or system.
The company was able to sustain operations through the financial crisis.
Sustain a relationship
To maintain a relationship over time.
Open communication and trust are important to sustain a relationship.
Sustain hope
To continue to feel hopeful about something.
Even in difficult times, it's important to sustain hope for a better future.
Sustain a population
To support the existence of a population over time.
The island's resources are just enough to sustain a small population.
Sustain a living
To make enough money to support oneself.
Many artists struggle to sustain a living with their art alone.
FAQs
Which vowel is used before Sustain?
The letter 'u'.
What is the verb form of Sustain?
Sustain is already in its verb form.
What is the root word of Sustain?
The root word is the Latin "sustinere."
What is the plural form of Sustain?
Sustain does not have a plural form as a verb. As a noun, it's "sustains."
What is the pronunciation of Sustain?
suh-STAYN
Why is it called Sustain?
It's derived from Latin "sustinere", meaning "to hold up, support, endure."
Which conjunction is used with Sustain?
Any conjunction can be used with "sustain" depending on sentence structure, such as "and" or "but."
Is Sustain an abstract noun?
Yes, in contexts where it represents an idea, quality, or state.
Is Sustain a negative or positive word?
Neutral, though often used in positive contexts.
Is Sustain a collective noun?
No.
Which preposition is used with Sustain?
Various prepositions can be used; "by" (sustained by food) and "from" (sustained from harm) are common.
Is the Sustain term a metaphor?
No, but it can be used metaphorically in sentences.
What is another term for Sustain?
Maintain.
What is the opposite of Sustain?
Cessation or discontinue.
What is the singular form of Sustain?
Sustain is already in its singular form.
Is Sustain a vowel or consonant?
It's a word, not a single letter. It contains both vowels and consonants.
What is a stressed syllable in Sustain?
The second syllable, "tain."
What part of speech is Sustain?
Verb (and occasionally noun).
What is the first form of Sustain?
Sustain.
How many syllables are in Sustain?
Two.
How is Sustain used in a sentence?
"The trees sustain a rich variety of birds and insects."
Is Sustain a noun or adjective?
Primarily a verb, but can also be a noun in certain contexts.
Which determiner is used with Sustain?
It varies based on context. Examples include "this," "that," "each," and "every."
What is the third form of Sustain?
Sustained.
Which article is used with Sustain?
Both "a" and "the" can be used depending on context.
Is Sustain an adverb?
No.
Is Sustain a countable noun?
No.
Is the word Sustain imperative?
Not inherently, but it can be used in the imperative mood (e.g., "Sustain the effort!").
How do we divide Sustain into syllables?
sus-tain.
What is the second form of Sustain?
Sustained.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
