persist

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "persist" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something continues to exist or occur despite opposition or difficulty. For example: "The musician persisted in finding new ways to express her creative ideas even though her first attempts had been unsuccessful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

The Guardian

The Economist

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Americans can't be bothered, and the Europeans persist in dishing up ludicrous amounts of black tea.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Why do such myths persist – and who is responsible?

The Guardian

But fears persist that the election, thought to be the most expensive in African history, will be polarising and that the losing side will not accept the outcome.

The Guardian

"The participation of instructors and specialists from third countries on Ukrainian territory, where the internal conflict remains unregulated, where problems with realising the points of the Minsk agreements persist, definitely doesn't help resolve the conflict," president Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists after the US paratroopers first arrived in Ukraine on Friday.

The Guardian

Despite intense publicity surrounding the event, doubts persist over whether it will be able to take place.

The Guardian

Weale and McCafferty remained concerned about the longer-term inflationary outlook, but, "noted the risk that low inflation might persist for longer than the temporary factors implied and concluded that this risk would be increased by an increase in Bank Rate at the current juncture".

The Guardian - Business

Will it be in any mood to persist with the Tory contaminant and to court extinction?

The Guardian - Opinion

If symptoms persist, you should take your child to the GP for advice – hay fever is not a trivial problem.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Despite all that, serious failings of care still persist in some places.

The Guardian

These facts, if they persist, would mean that the government will need to pay for training three or four potential GPs for every full-time-equivalent who will eventually practise.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pockets of unemployment and petty crime, often drug related, persist.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "persist" to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action or state, especially when facing obstacles or resistance. For example, "Despite the setbacks, the team persisted in their efforts and eventually achieved their goal."

Common error

Avoid using "persist" when you mean to emphasize a firm declaration or demand. Use "insist" to describe strongly stating a belief or demanding something. For example, use "He insisted on his innocence" rather than "He persisted on his innocence".

Linguistic Context

The verb "persist" functions primarily to indicate the continuation of an action, condition, or belief, often in the face of obstacles or resistance. Ludwig examples show its use across varied contexts, reinforcing this central function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "persist" is a verb used to describe the continuation of something, especially in the face of opposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable, as illustrated by its frequent appearance in news and media, as well as in formal and business contexts. While synonyms like "continue" and "endure" exist, "persist" specifically highlights the challenging nature of the continuation. Remember to use "insist" instead of "persist" when expressing a firm declaration. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "persist" to add precision and depth to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persevere

Highlights effort and determination in the face of difficulty more than "persist" does.

continue

This term is more general and lacks the connotation of overcoming obstacles present in "persist".

prevail

Focuses on ultimate success after a struggle, while "persist" describes the act of continuing.

hold on

Suggests clinging to something in a difficult situation, whereas "persist" can be more general.

hang on

Similar to "hold on", emphasizing resilience, but "persist" might imply a more proactive approach.

die hard

Implies a stubborn refusal to give up, more forceful than the general sense of continuation in "persist".

endure

Emphasizes withstanding hardship over a long period, while "persist" can imply shorter durations.

hang in

An informal expression encouraging someone to keep trying, while "persist" is more formal.

remain

Focuses on maintaining a state or condition, rather than actively continuing despite challenges, unlike "persist".

last

Implies duration and survival over time, but doesn't necessarily suggest active continuation as "persist" does.

FAQs

How can I use "persist" in a sentence?

Use "persist" to describe something that continues despite difficulty or opposition. For example, "The problems with the software "persist" despite numerous attempts to fix them".

What are some synonyms for "persist"?

Alternatives for "persist" include "continue", "endure", "persevere", and "remain". The best choice depends on the specific context.

When should I use "persist" instead of "continue"?

"Persist" implies that something is continuing despite challenges or resistance, whereas "continue" simply means to carry on. Use "persist" when you want to highlight the difficulty or opposition being faced. For example, "The rain continued all day," versus "The protesters persisted despite the police presence".

Is it correct to say "persist on" instead of "persist in"?

While "persist" can be followed by different prepositions, "persist in" is generally the more accepted and grammatically sound choice. The preposition depends on the construction of your sentence.