stayed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stayed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone remained in a particular place or state for a period of time. Example: "She stayed at the hotel for three nights during her vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The loyal supporters who stayed with us need to savour this moment.

The Guardian - Sport

Douglas Clayton stayed put.

The New York Times

We would look at German Burda [a pattern and fashion] magazine together and discuss what looked nice – and because my mum had that attitude and payed attention to fashion, I think something stayed with me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In the following year the town's population of about 4,000 dropped by nearly half, and as businesses and supermarkets closed, Qantas cut its services, and houses were left empty, the exodus began to take a toll on the mental health of those who stayed behind.

The Guardian

While many former Tories ended their flirtation with Ukip and went back home, ex-Labour Ukip defectors stayed with their new party.

The Guardian - Opinion

A small group of us, including a student recovering from exams, a woman with a broken heart and a pair that had stayed at Zamzam before and vowed to return, gathered for some pre-departure pampering.

The Guardian - Travel

Labor introduced a controversial "no advantage test" on 13 August last year in an unsuccessful attempt to stop asylum boats from coming by insisting that those applying for refugee status in that way received no benefit compared with those who stayed in refugee camps in the region.

The Guardian

Malik has stayed in touch with other housemates, who have been supportive.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

So they are ultimately altering the persona of him after his death and associating him with a product that, in life, he stayed away from.

The Guardian

He moved to QPR two months later and they stayed up on the final day of the season but injuries meant that he barely featured when they were relegated in 2013 and his chronic hip problem meant that he had to be managed carefully last season.

The Guardian - Sport

Then, both the director general and chairman went, rightly in my view, but those managers responsible stayed and some were even promoted.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "stayed", ensure the context clearly indicates the location or state being maintained. For example, "She stayed at the library" specifies location, while "He stayed calm" refers to a state of being.

Common error

Avoid using "stayed" when the present tense is required. For example, instead of "He stayed here now", use "He is staying here now."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "stayed" is as the past tense and past participle form of the verb "stay". It describes an action that was completed in the past, indicating a period of remaining in a place or condition. As Ludwig confirms, the usage is correct and well-supported.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stayed" is the past tense of the verb "stay", indicating the act of remaining in a particular place or condition. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and widely used, especially within News & Media. While versatile, ensure correct tense usage and consider synonyms like "remained" or "lingered" to diversify writing. The contexts in which it appears most often are News & Media, showing its reliability in formal and informal contexts alike.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained

Indicates a continuation in the same place or condition, similar to "stayed" but can imply a more passive state.

stuck around

An informal way of saying "stayed", suggesting a casual or unplanned decision to remain.

hung around

Similar to "stuck around", conveying a sense of casual lingering, often without a specific purpose.

dwelt

Implies residing in a place for a significant period, carrying a slightly more formal tone than "stayed".

abided

Similar to "stayed", but may also imply adhering to a rule or decision during the period of remaining.

lingered

Suggests remaining longer than necessary or expected, adding a nuance of reluctance or attachment.

tarried

Implies a deliberate delay in leaving, often for pleasure or enjoyment.

sojourned

Indicates a temporary stay, often in a foreign place, and is more formal than "stayed".

persisted

Emphasizes continuing despite difficulty or opposition, shifting the focus from location to action.

held up

Implies remaining resilient or maintaining a position under pressure or adverse conditions.

FAQs

How do I use "stayed" in a sentence?

"Stayed" is the past tense of "stay", indicating remaining in a place or condition. For example, "She "stayed" at the hotel" or "He "stayed" calm during the crisis".

What are some alternatives to "stayed"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "remained", "dwelt", "lingered", or "stuck around".

Is it correct to say "stayed" when referring to a future event?

No, "stayed" is a past tense verb and should not be used for future events. Use "will stay" or "is staying" for future references. For example, "She will stay at the hotel tomorrow" is correct.

What's the difference between "stayed" and "remained"?

While both indicate continuing in a place or condition, ""stayed"" often implies a choice or intention, while "remained" can suggest a more passive state. "She stayed because she wanted to help" versus "She remained silent during the meeting".