sostener (que)
verbCEFR B2
What does “sostener (que)” mean in English?
1.to assert, to maintain
to assert, to maintain (to hold and articulate a thesis; sostener que + indicative — academic argument register)
2.to claim, to maintain
to claim, to maintain (sostener que + indicative — asserting a position under challenge; formal register)
Example sentences
El equipo investigador sostiene que el cambio observado no puede atribuirse al azar.
The research team maintains that the observed change cannot be attributed to chance.
Aunque le presionaron repetidamente, sostuvo su postura sin matizar ni un punto.
Although they pressed him repeatedly, he held his position without softening a single point.
How to use it
Sostener at B2 in debate context means to maintain or assert a position — the verb of argumentation. Pattern is sostener que + indicative (sostener que la solución es X) or sostener + N (sostener una tesis / una postura / una opinión). It carries more weight than decir (to say) or pensar (to think) because it implies the speaker continues to back the position across pushback. The reporting frame ('Lópes sostiene que…') is the journalistic neutral-formal default for attributing a defended claim to a source. Note the everyday senses (to hold up physically, to sustain financially) remain B1-active — at B2 the debate sense is the new layer.
Common mistake
L1-English 'maintain' calques cleanly into sostener for debate, but learners often reach for mantener (which sounds physical/financial). Use sostener for an argued position; mantener for ongoing states or possessions.