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→Harmonic Function
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Suspended chords are often used to prolong the full resolution from a progression. For example, when resolving from V or vii° vii{{dim}} to the tonic chord of the key, the 2nd note of the key is found in both the V and vii° chords. The other notes resolve, while that 2nd sustains, forming the sus2 chord on the tonic chord, preventing a full resolution. After sustaining the sus2 long enough, the 2nd resolves up to the 3rd or down to the tonic, making the I and completing the resolution.
For the sus4, the same thing happens with the 4th note of the key, when resolving from a ii or IV chord to I. The 4th resolves down to the 3rd or up to the 5th.