he is persisting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is persisting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who continues to do something despite difficulties or challenges. Example: "Despite the setbacks, he is persisting in his efforts to complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He is persisting with policies loathed on the Labour benches, such as bringing in national-identity cards (see article) and the part-privatisation of Royal Mail.

The Economist

At Hällåkra vineyard, Hansson is confident about the future, so much so that he is persisting with an aromatic, fruity red and planning to nearly double his vines by 2018.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Despite being rebuffed repeatedly by the British advertising firm Aegis, he is persisting in his attempts to gain a place on the company's board.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But Sam, the polite guy that he is, persisted in his pitch: "An evening of dinner, cocktails, popcorn, film and fun...what else have you got to do that is better?

Huffington Post

Milne needs to bowl straight but he's persisting on just wide and Lakmal's swinging for the fences (and missing).

The Guardian - Sport

Besides, he said, the Carolina Reaper was, at this point, almost an anachronism, and he was persisting in trying to win recognition for it merely as a point of pride.

The New Yorker

"He's persisting with this three at the back, and I don't believe the players are picking it up well enough.

BBC

Still, Ms. Konrad is persisting.

The New York Times

All he has to do is persist in his folly.

The New York Times

Chris Jordan, Sussex A frustrated onlooker for the first four games of the World Cup disaster, Jordan's wicket-taking ability – his strike-rate is the highest of any English seamer to send down 1,000 balls – and fielding prowess mean he must be persisted with.

The Guardian - Sport

The Chinese have given them access to the resource but presumably only because President Rodrigo Duterte has assured them he is not persisting in an argument over who owns it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is persisting" to convey a sense of ongoing effort despite facing obstacles or resistance. It suggests a determined continuation rather than a simple ongoing action.

Common error

Avoid using "he is persisting" when a simpler phrase like "he is continuing" would suffice. The strength of "persisting" lies in implying resilience against challenges, so reserve it for situations where that nuance is relevant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is persisting" functions as a present continuous construction indicating an ongoing action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes someone who continues to do something, especially in the face of difficulty. The auxiliary verb "is" links the subject "he" to the present participle "persisting", forming a verb phrase that describes current activity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he is persisting" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone who continues to do something despite challenges. Ludwig AI analysis indicates its usage is most common in News & Media. While semantically similar alternatives like "he is persevering" exist, "he is persisting" carries a specific nuance of ongoing effort against resistance. When writing, reserve "he is persisting" for contexts where that sense of resilience is intentional and choose simpler phrases like "he is continuing" for general ongoing actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is persevering

This alternative emphasizes steadfastness and determination, closely mirroring the original phrase's meaning with a slight shift in tone.

he is continuing

A more general term indicating an ongoing action, lacking the emphasis on overcoming obstacles present in the original phrase.

he is carrying on

This phrase conveys a sense of maintaining progress, often despite difficulties or adversity, similar to the original.

he is holding on

Implies maintaining a grip or position, suggesting resilience but less active effort than "persisting".

he is sticking with it

Suggests loyalty and commitment to a task or goal, emphasizing dedication over sheer continuation.

he is pushing forward

This phrase highlights progress and movement towards a goal, adding a sense of proactive effort absent in the original.

he is standing his ground

Emphasizes resistance to opposition or pressure, rather than simply continuing an action.

he is not giving up

Focuses on refusing to quit, highlighting resilience and determination more explicitly than the original phrase.

he is seeing it through

Implies a commitment to completing a task, adding a sense of finality absent in the original phrase.

he is keeping at it

This alternative is more informal, suggesting continued effort in a less formal or serious context.

FAQs

How can I use "he is persisting" in a sentence?

Use "he is persisting" to describe someone who continues to do something despite facing difficulties, opposition, or setbacks. For example: "Despite the numerous rejections, "he is persisting" in his efforts to get published."

What can I say instead of "he is persisting"?

You can use alternatives like "he is persevering", "he is continuing", or "he is holding on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "he is persisting" and "he is continuing"?

"He is continuing" simply indicates that an action is ongoing. "He is persisting", on the other hand, suggests that the action is being maintained despite challenges or obstacles.

Is "he is persisting" formal or informal?

"He is persisting" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in writing than in casual conversation.