Cool MateLong-term vs Sustained
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Long-term
Top 2,000 (common)B2adjective
Sustained
Top 2,000 (common)
| Long-term | Sustained | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌlɒŋ ˈtɜːm/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌlɔːŋ ˈtɜːrm/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //səˈsteɪnd//🇺🇸 //səˈsteɪnd// |
| Meaning | Something that lasts for a long time. | Kept going for a long time without stopping. |
| Example | They have a long-term plan for the development of the city. | The athlete achieved a sustained effort throughout the race. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | long-term goals, long-term effects, long-term investments, long-term relationships, long-term plans | sustained effort, sustained attention, sustained growth, sustained period, sustained increase |
| Antonyms | short-term | interrupted, discontinued, temporary |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'long-term' with 'short-term'., Using 'long-term' as a noun instead of an adjective., Not hyphenating 'long-term' when it is used as a compound adjective. | Confused with 'sustaining,' which implies the act of maintaining., Incorrectly used as a synonym for 'sustenance' which refers to food or nourishment. |
| Usage notes | Use 'long-term' to describe plans, commitments, or effects that are expected to last over a long period. Avoid using it for temporary situations. | Used in formal contexts, especially in science or discussions about health. Avoid in casual conversations about small, everyday tasks. |
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Frequently asked questions: Long-term vs Sustained
What's the difference between Long-term and Sustained?
Long-term: Something that lasts for a long time. Sustained: Kept going for a long time without stopping.
Can you show an example of each?
Long-term: They have a long-term plan for the development of the city. Sustained: The athlete achieved a sustained effort throughout the race.
Can I use Long-term and Sustained interchangeably?
Not always. Long-term and Sustained are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.