by persisting in

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by persisting in" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the act of continuing or maintaining a course of action despite challenges or obstacles. Example: "She achieved her goals by persisting in her efforts, even when faced with setbacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

And the cryptic: "People continually ruin their lives by persisting in actions against which their sensations rebel".

The Guardian - Books

By persisting in deliberately rejecting reason, Bowie reminds us that there are plenty of reasons to do so.

The New Yorker

It had nothing to gain by persisting in its self-imposed isolation and much to hope for from a show of cordial relations with the United States.

The New Yorker

But by persisting in the false belief that coral reefs have a future, we grossly misallocate the funds needed to cope with the fallout from their collapse.

The New York Times

Thus there can be no doubt that respondent, by persisting in his reprehensible conduct, surrendered his right to be present at the trial.

Cornell University

That is about the last mention of the New World, until we discover, many chapters later, that "In the reign of George the Third … England lost North America, by persisting in taxing her without her own consent".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Shock was inadequately corrected evidenced by persisting shock in 78% and oliguria in 40% of survivors to 24 hours during the RCT.

BMC Pediatrics

Irreversible structural changes induced by persisting hypoxia in the centre of the macula have been identified as the reason behind this observation [ 8].

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology

Though she sees through the era's gender and class hypocrisies, she's also bound by them, persisting in loving and defending her inventively abusive master, a man who likes to warn her to "remember your place".

The New York Times - Books

They do that either by infecting and propagating in a consecutive series of individual hosts, usually causing overt disease or death, or by infecting and persisting in a single host for a longer period of time.

Plosone

Lp replicates and survives in the environment by infecting and persisting in waterborne amoeba and human infection occurs following exposure to aerosols of contaminated water [ 2].

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by persisting in" to emphasize the active and intentional nature of overcoming obstacles. For example, "They succeeded "by persisting in" their research, despite numerous setbacks."

Common error

Avoid using "by persisting in" repeatedly in the same paragraph. Vary your sentence structure with synonyms like "through perseverance" or "by maintaining" to keep your writing engaging and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by persisting in" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating the means or method by which something is accomplished. It emphasizes that success or a particular outcome is achieved through continued effort, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Academia

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by persisting in" is a grammatically correct and usable prepositional phrase that signifies achieving a goal through continued effort despite difficulties. Ludwig confirms its correct usage and indicates that it functions to show the means by which something is accomplished. It is most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, denoting its versatile yet somewhat formal nature. When using this phrase, ensure variety by occasionally using alternatives such as "through perseverance" and avoid overuse in close proximity to maintain writing quality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

through continued persistence

Emphasizes the continuous nature of the persistence.

by maintaining steadfastness

Highlights unwavering commitment and resolve.

through unwavering dedication

Focuses on commitment without deviation.

by tenaciously pursuing

Emphasizes a firm grip and determined chase.

through relentless effort

Highlights continuous and intense exertion.

by continuously striving

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the effort.

by keeping at it

An informal way to express continuing effort.

through sustained effort

Highlights effort that is prolonged or maintained.

by persevering

A more concise way of expressing continued effort in the face of difficulty.

through consistent application

Highlights the regular and steady application of effort or skill.

FAQs

How can I use "by persisting in" in a sentence?

You can use "by persisting in" to show that a particular outcome was achieved through continued effort despite challenges. For example, "The company improved its market share "by persisting in" its innovative marketing strategies."

What are some alternatives to "by persisting in"?

Some alternatives include "through perseverance", "by continuing to", or "through unwavering dedication", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "persisting to" instead of "persisting in"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "persisting" in this context is "in". "Persisting to" is not grammatically correct. Therefore, you should always use "by persisting in".

What's the difference between "by persisting in" and "by continuing to"?

While both phrases indicate ongoing action, "by persisting in" often implies overcoming obstacles or resistance, whereas "by continuing to" simply indicates the continuation of an action without necessarily implying difficulty. The phrase "by persisting in" adds the connotation of fighting against something.