to stay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to stay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to remaining in a particular place, condition, or state for a period of time. Example: "I decided to stay at home instead of going out with friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To stay?

The New Yorker

"Plan to stay loyal".

The New York Times

He wanted to stay.

The New York Times - Sports

Coogan decided to stay.

The New York Times - Magazine

Better, still, to stay.

The Economist

Most elected to stay.

The Economist

I'm there to stay".

The New York Times - Sports

She decided to stay.

The New Yorker

We go to stay.

The Economist

"That's going to stay".

The New York Times

I'd like to stay".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to stay", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you mean remaining in a location, maintaining a condition, or postponing an action.

Common error

Avoid pairing "to stay" with adjectives that imply change or movement. For instance, "to stay changing" is incorrect; instead, use "to remain unchanged" or "to avoid changing".

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to stay" functions primarily as a verb complement, expressing intention, purpose, or decision. Ludwig examples show it used after verbs like "decide", "want", and "try", indicating a choice or course of action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

26%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to stay" is a versatile and common infinitive phrase used to express the act of remaining in a place or condition. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media and Wiki sources. Related phrases include "to remain", "to abide", and "to continue", each offering slightly different nuances. When using "to stay", ensure that the context is clear about whether you are referring to location, condition, or postponement. Ludwig AI supports these conclusions, marking "to stay" as a valid and usable phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to remain

Emphasizes a continuation in the same place or condition, differing slightly in tone from "to stay".

to abide

Suggests a more formal or prolonged residence in a place, offering a stronger sense of commitment than "to stay".

to continue

Focuses on the uninterrupted nature of an action or state, differing from "to stay" which implies location or condition.

to stick around

Conveys an informal sense of remaining in a place, differing from "to stay" in its casual tone.

to linger

Implies a gentle or reluctant departure, offering a sense of prolonged presence not always conveyed by "to stay".

to reside

Denotes a formal or official place of dwelling, suggesting a more permanent arrangement than "to stay".

to wait

Focuses on remaining in place until something happens, differing from "to stay" which indicates general continuation.

to hold up

Emphasizes resistance or endurance, differing from "to stay" in its focus on perseverance.

to keep

Suggests maintaining a certain condition, differing from "to stay" which emphasizes location or presence.

to dwell

Indicates living in a place, typically with connotations of permanence or deep connection, unlike the more neutral "to stay".

FAQs

How can I use "to stay" in a sentence?

You can use "to stay" to indicate remaining in a place (e.g., "I decided "to stay home""), maintaining a condition (e.g., "Try "to stay calm""), or postponing an action (e.g., "The judge agreed "to stay the execution"").

What are some alternatives to "to stay"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to remain", "to continue", "to abide", or "to linger".

What's the difference between "to stay" and "to remain"?

"To stay" generally implies a temporary state or location, while "to remain" suggests a more prolonged or permanent state. However, they are often interchangeable.

Is it correct to say "stay put"?

Yes, "stay put" is an idiomatic expression that means to remain in the same place. It's often used to instruct someone not to move or go anywhere else.