has persisted for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has persisted for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the duration of a situation or condition that has continued over a period of time. Example: "The drought has persisted for several months, causing significant challenges for local farmers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This pattern has persisted for decades.

The New York Times

The practice has persisted for years.

The New York Times

Below average rainfall has persisted for almost a decade now.

Yale University

The present cycle has persisted for 13 years.

Cornell University

The quiet disagreement has persisted for four months.

The New York Times

That 10-percentage-point gap has persisted for several years.

The Guardian

But a question has persisted for Bloom since he left Tarapur: Did the factories' transformations last?

Stanford University

The mystery has persisted for decades, attracting international attention and inspiring books and investigations by geneticists.

The New York Times

This bias has persisted for the better part of two centuries.

The New Yorker

Patronage-based politics and economics is a resilient form of governance that has persisted for centuries.

The Guardian

Poland has a tradition of small farming that has persisted for centuries.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the duration of an event, select stronger alternatives with more expressive connotation when applicable to add impact. Replace it with "has endured for" to suggest resilience, or "has remained for" to suggest stability.

Common error

Avoid using "has persisted for" when a simple statement of duration is sufficient. For example, instead of saying "The meeting has persisted for an hour", it is more concise to say "The meeting has lasted an hour".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has persisted for" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the duration of a state, condition, or activity. It emphasizes the continuation over a period, often implying a sense of unexpectedness or resilience. Ludwig provides multiple examples of its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

23%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has persisted for" is a common and grammatically correct verbal phrase used to describe the duration of a state or condition, often implying unexpectedness or resilience. Ludwig's AI analysis and numerous examples across diverse sources—including News & Media, Academia, and Science—confirm its widespread usage and acceptability. When writing, consider whether the implication of unexpected duration is intended; if not, simpler alternatives like ""has lasted for"" or ""has continued for"" may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has continued for

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of an event or condition without necessarily implying difficulty or resilience.

has lasted for

Focuses on the duration of something, highlighting the length of time it has existed.

has endured for

Implies that something has survived through difficult conditions over a period.

has remained for

Highlights the fact that something has stayed in a particular state or place for a duration.

has been ongoing for

Specifically points out that a process or activity has been in progress for a certain time.

has stretched for

Suggests that something has extended or prolonged itself over a period of time, potentially unexpectedly.

has prevailed for

Indicates that something has been victorious or dominant over a period.

has held on for

Implies a tenacious grip on existence or relevance over a duration.

has been sustained for

Highlights the support or maintenance that allowed something to continue existing for a time.

has carried on for

Focuses on the continuation of an activity or process, often despite obstacles.

FAQs

How can I use "has persisted for" in a sentence?

You can use "has persisted for" to describe how long a situation, condition, or belief has continued, often implying it has lasted longer than expected or desired. For example: "The drought "has persisted for" years, affecting local agriculture".

What are some alternatives to "has persisted for"?

Alternatives include "has continued for", "has lasted for", or "has remained for". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about the duration.

Is there a difference between "has persisted for" and "has continued for"?

While both phrases indicate duration, "has persisted for" often implies that the situation has been ongoing despite challenges or resistance, whereas "has continued for" is a more neutral statement of duration.

When is it better to use "has lasted for" instead of "has persisted for"?

Use "has lasted for" when you simply want to state the duration of something without implying any underlying difficulty or unexpectedness. "The movie "has lasted for" two hours" is a straightforward statement, while "The problem "has persisted for" years" implies it should have been resolved sooner.