PERSIST
verb
1. /pərˈsɪst/
2. B2
3. To continue doing something or continue to exist despite difficulties or obstacles.
4. = continue, endure, remain
5. Idea: To persist is to be like an ant, steadily carrying a crumb ten times its size up a steep hill—not because it’s strong, but because it never gives up.
6. Usage hints and common mistakes:
a) "Persist" is often followed by "in" + gerund (e.g., "She persists in practicing piano daily_."), but persist with something (He persisted with his questioning.).
b) Commonly used with abstract nouns: persist in belief, persist in hope
c) Different from "insist". Persist = keep going; insist = demand.
d) Frequent collocations: persist with efforts, persist in research, persist despite challenges
e) "Persist" often suggests something unpleasant continuing e.g., The headache persisted for hours.
f) Frequent collocations: persist with efforts, persist in research, persist despite challenges
g) Adjective persistent (“She was a persistent journalist”).
7. Examples:
Despite the constant rain, the team persisted with their training.
The old computer persists in running slower than a sleepy snail.
The rumour persisted despite all evidence to the contrary.
verb
1. /pərˈsɪst/
2. B2
3. To continue doing something or continue to exist despite difficulties or obstacles.
4. = continue, endure, remain
5. Idea: To persist is to be like an ant, steadily carrying a crumb ten times its size up a steep hill—not because it’s strong, but because it never gives up.
6. Usage hints and common mistakes:
a) "Persist" is often followed by "in" + gerund (e.g., "She persists in practicing piano daily_."), but persist with something (He persisted with his questioning.).
b) Commonly used with abstract nouns: persist in belief, persist in hope
c) Different from "insist". Persist = keep going; insist = demand.
d) Frequent collocations: persist with efforts, persist in research, persist despite challenges
e) "Persist" often suggests something unpleasant continuing e.g., The headache persisted for hours.
f) Frequent collocations: persist with efforts, persist in research, persist despite challenges
g) Adjective persistent (“She was a persistent journalist”).
7. Examples:
Despite the constant rain, the team persisted with their training.
The old computer persists in running slower than a sleepy snail.
The rumour persisted despite all evidence to the contrary.