persistent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'persistent' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an adjective which means someone or something that is determined to continue something despite difficulty or opposition. Example sentence: Jennie showed a persistent spirit as she kept working towards achieving her goals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There have been persistent claims from boys abused at Kincora and human rights organisations that military intelligence and the RUC knew about the rape of children in care but used the information to blackmail the paedophiles, forcing them to spy on fellow loyalists.

The Guardian

From the early 1980s onwards, Murdoch's best-selling daily, the Sun, has been a persistent critic of the European Union and all its works.

The Guardian

From claims he is a "cancer" in the dressing room to his persistent underperformance with the bat, this tour has been a shrieking, knives-out disaster for Watto.

The Guardian - Sport

He has been a persistent hit-maker, with a pedigree that includes opera and Shakespeare as well as commercial successes such as Boeing-Boeing and Matilda.

The Guardian

The symptoms of ovarian cancer include: abdominal or pelvic pain and increased abdominal size or persistent bloating; the need to urinate often or urgently or feeling full after eating a small amount.

The Guardian

One of the most persistent themes to crop up online in the wake of the Clinton announcement was "I wish I was American so that I could vote for Hillary".

The Guardian

The chief executive of the world's largest oil company will on Wednesday face two of the firm's most persistent environmental activist shareholders – a nun from New Jersey and a friar from Milwaukee.

The Guardian - Business

But the UK parcels market continues to be over-supplied and the decline in letter use is persistent.

The Guardian - Business

A study led by Noah Diffenbaugh at Stanford used modeling and statistics to find that these sorts of persistent high-pressure ridges are more likely to sit off California's coast in the presence of high levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

The Guardian

"In order to uproot the systemic embedded abuse that has allowed for the creation of such 'black sites' like that of Homan Square as well as police torturers like that of Jon Burge, transparent and persistent investigation is the first step of many," a statement attributed to the group read.

The Guardian

Though the growth will surely take many years and require persistent care, the women of Bosnia & Herzegovina hope that the seeds they have planted will continue to flourish.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "persistent" to describe data, remember that it refers to data that exists beyond the execution of the program. Ensure the context clearly indicates this technical meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "persistent" when you mean "consistent". "Persistent" implies duration and continuation over time, while "consistent" implies conformity or regularity.

Linguistic Context

The word "persistent" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that continues or recurs for an extended period. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is grammatically correct. This includes describing things that are determined to continue, like "persistent cough" or issues that keep coming back.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Business

14%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "persistent" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that continues or recurs over time, often despite obstacles. As Ludwig AI states, its grammatical correctness is confirmed, and its high frequency in news, business, and science contexts suggests its broad applicability. When writing, remember that "persistent" emphasizes duration and continuation, and be careful not to confuse it with "consistent". By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "persistent" to enhance your writing and convey precise meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unrelenting

Emphasizes the absence of any yielding or slackening in effort or intensity.

tenacious

Highlights the quality of holding firmly to something, both literally and figuratively.

dogged

Suggests a stubborn and determined perseverance, often in the face of adversity.

incessant

Focuses on the continuous and often irritating nature of something.

continual

Indicates a series of actions or events that occur regularly with interruptions.

constant

Implies something that remains steady and unchanged over a period of time.

determined

Stresses a firm decision to achieve a goal despite obstacles.

resolute

Conveys a sense of unwavering purpose and commitment.

enduring

Highlights the ability to last or remain over a long period.

unwavering

Signifies steadfastness and a lack of fluctuation or doubt.

FAQs

How to use "persistent" in a sentence?

You can use "persistent" to describe something that continues for a long time or is difficult to get rid of, like "a "persistent cough"" or "persistent rumors".

What can I say instead of "persistent"?

You can use alternatives like "tenacious", "unrelenting", or "dogged" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "persistent" or "insistent"?

"Persistent" describes something that continues for a long time, while "insistent" describes someone who demands something repeatedly. Therefore, the correct word depends on the context. A "persistent problem" continues, while an "insistent customer" keeps demanding.

What's the difference between "persistent" and "constant"?

"Persistent" implies something continues despite difficulty or opposition, while "constant" implies something happens continuously without interruption. For instance, "persistent efforts" overcome obstacles, while "constant noise" is continuous.