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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
persists with
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "persists with" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in many contexts.
It can be used when describing someone continuing with a particular action or behavior, but "persists in" is more standard. Example: "Despite the challenges, she persists with her efforts to improve the community."
News & Media
Science
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
My email, meanwhile, persists with doing naff all.
News & Media
He then persists with thought and practice until he gets it right.
News & Media
That doesn't perturb the young bowler, though, who persists with his marvelous variation.
News & Media
But she persists with the story, apparently determined to tell it.
News & Media
"If the Party for Democratic Prosperity persists with its attitude it risks being marginalized".
News & Media
The long-existing gender gap persists, with women decidedly more Democratic and men heavily Republican.
News & Media
In a fourth scenario the ANC persists with its damaging policies but also suppresses dissent.
News & Media
Ms. Cyphers persists with the mechanical processes in large color photographs depicting details of the paintings, which she calls clones.
News & Media
Abraham's final line of defence, which he persists with, is that the joke was distorted and taken out of context.
News & Media
"If Pakistan persists with this adventurism then our forces will continue to fight," he told a news conference in Delhi.
News & Media
This claim has some theoretical validity, but forgets that malaria only persists with poor infrastructure and health care.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
While "persists with" is acceptable, consider using "persists in" for a more standard and grammatically conventional phrasing.
Common error
In formal writing, relying too heavily on "persists with" can make your text sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "continues with", "perseveres with", or "remains committed to" to maintain reader engagement.
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "persists with" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the continuation of an action or behavior, often in the face of difficulty or opposition. As Ludwig AI points out, while acceptable, "persists in" is more standard.
Frequent in
News & Media
53%
Science
33%
Formal & Business
9%
Less common in
Wiki
0%
Encyclopedias
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "persists with" is a commonly used verb phrase that signifies continuing an action, often despite challenges. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests that "persists in" is a more standard alternative. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business contexts. When using "persists with", be mindful of potential overuse and consider varying your language with synonyms such as "continues with" or "remains committed to".
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
continues with
Focuses on the ongoing nature of an action or behavior, similar to "persists with" but without the connotation of difficulty or resistance.
carries on with
Implies continuing an activity, often after an interruption or despite challenges, matching the sense of perseverance in "persists with".
perseveres with
Highlights the determination to overcome obstacles while pursuing a goal, mirroring the resilience in "persists with".
presses on with
Shares the sense of moving forward despite difficulty, resembling the tenacity in "persists with".
keeps up with
Suggests maintaining pace or momentum in an activity or process, aligning with the idea of sustained effort.
remains committed to
Underscores a firm dedication to a cause or plan, similar to "persists with" in conveying unwavering resolve.
sticks with
Emphasizes loyalty and dedication to a particular course or choice, comparable to the steadfastness implied by "persists with".
maintains adherence to
Highlights the act of adhering to something, following the model of action described by "persists with".
holds firm to
Highlights the act of maintaining a course or an action that the subject is following. Less frequent, but meaning preserved.
pursues relentlessly
Emphasizes the intensity of the action that the subject is pursuing. Meaning preserved, less frequent.
FAQs
What's a more grammatically standard alternative to "persists with"?
The phrase "persists in" is generally considered more grammatically standard than "persists with". For example, "She "persists in" her efforts to improve the community" sounds more natural.
When is it appropriate to use "persists with"?
"Persists with" can be used when describing someone continuing a specific action or behavior, but it's important to consider the context. In many cases, alternatives like "continues with" or "remains committed to" may be more appropriate.
What are some synonyms for "persists with" that don't necessarily imply difficulty?
If you want to convey continued action without the connotation of overcoming obstacles, consider using synonyms like "proceeds with", "carries on with", or "keeps up with".
Is there a difference in formality between "persists with" and "persists in"?
While both phrases are generally suitable for formal writing, "persists in" is often preferred due to its wider acceptance and perceived grammatical correctness. "Persists with" isn't incorrect, but may be considered less polished.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
86%
Authority and reliability
4.1/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested