decided not to persist

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decided not to persist" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating a choice to stop pursuing something or to refrain from continuing an action or effort. Example: "After careful consideration, I decided not to persist with the project that was proving to be unfeasible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The government seems to have a policy of helping only those Canadians in trouble abroad whom it does not have reason to see as undesirable.In this section Ready to roll again Muck and brass plates Some are on their own ReprintsThus it decided not to persist with an appeal for clemency nor to seek the repatriation of Ronald Smith, a convicted murderer on death row in a Montana jail.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ultimately, Mr. Ford decided not to run.

The New York Times

McCarthy ultimately decided not to run.

Wikipedia

Deciding not to run for reelection, Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the end, the group decided not to deal with age, saying doubts persisted for women of all ages.

The New York Times

decided not to foul.

The New York Times

The city decided not to decide.

The New York Times

But he decided not to.

The New York Times

(They eventually decided not to).

The New Yorker

I decided not to argue.

The New Yorker

I decided not to interfere.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "decided not to persist", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or goal is being abandoned. This phrase is suitable when a conscious choice has been made to discontinue an effort due to challenges, lack of progress, or a change in strategy.

Common error

Avoid using "decided not to persist" when a situation simply ends naturally or without conscious intervention. This phrase implies an active choice to stop, not just a passive ending. Consider using phrases like "came to an end" or "faded away" if there was no active decision involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decided not to persist" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a deliberate choice to discontinue an action or effort. As Ludwig AI says, it shows a choice to stop pursuing something. Examples show it being used in news contexts to indicate policy or strategic changes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decided not to persist" is a verbal phrase used to indicate a deliberate choice to discontinue an action or effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and best used to indicate a choice to stop pursuing something. It appears most commonly in news and media contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While not a frequent phrase, when used appropriately, as per the Ludwig AI assessment, it effectively conveys a resolution to cease an ongoing activity. Consider related alternatives such as "chose to abandon" or "opted to discontinue" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

chose to abandon

Emphasizes the choice to completely give up.

opted to discontinue

Highlights a formal decision to cease something.

resolved to drop

Indicates a firm decision to stop pursuing a matter.

determined to halt

Stresses a resolute decision to bring something to a stop.

elected to cease

Similar to 'opted', but with a slightly more formal tone.

saw fit to relinquish

Implies giving up something, often after careful consideration.

agreed to suspend

Suggests a temporary cessation with possible resumption later.

stopped trying

A simpler, more direct way of expressing the cessation of effort.

quit pursuing

Focuses on ceasing the act of chasing or following something.

gave up on

A common, informal way to say one has stopped believing in or trying for something.

FAQs

How can I use "decided not to persist" in a sentence?

You can use "decided not to persist" to indicate a conscious choice to stop pursuing a particular action or goal. For example, "After careful evaluation, the team "decided not to persist" with the marketing campaign due to its poor performance".

What are some alternatives to "decided not to persist"?

Alternatives include "chose to abandon", "opted to discontinue", or "resolved to drop", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "decided not to persist" or "decided to give up"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "decided not to persist" is more formal than "decided to give up". The best choice depends on the context and the desired tone. For example, for more formal use in business-related context, you could opt for "decided not to persist".

What does "decided not to persist" imply about the prior effort?

"Decided not to persist" implies that there was a previous effort to continue or maintain something, but a conscious decision was made to stop that effort. It suggests that the decision was deliberate, not accidental.