What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
maintain
Example
It's important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly. [maintain: verb]
Example
The company has to maintain its reputation for quality products. [maintain: verb]
Example
He maintained his innocence throughout the trial. [maintained: past tense]
sustain
Example
The organization relies on donations to sustain its operations. [sustain: verb]
Example
The athlete sustained a serious injury during the game. [sustained: past tense]
Example
We need to find ways to sustain economic growth while protecting the environment. [sustain: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Maintain is more common than sustain in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Sustain is often used in technical or specialized contexts related to environmental or economic sustainability.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between maintain and sustain?
Sustain is often used in technical or specialized contexts, making it more formal than maintain, which is commonly used in everyday language and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
