persist

persist — verb

1. to remain present or keep affecting people instead of ending, often longer than

1.動詞不及物C2
釋義

to remain present or keep affecting people instead of ending, often longer than expected.

例句

The smell of smoke persisted in the curtains for three days.

subject often a smell, pain, or problem

Even after the medicine, Maya's knee pain persisted through the weekend.

同義詞
  • remain

    more neutral and broader; it does not strongly suggest that something should have ended

  • last

    focuses on duration in time

  • continue

    broad and neutral; it lacks the idea of lingering on undesirably

  • linger

    often suggests a slow, noticeable staying-on effect

反義詞
  • end

    stop completely

  • fade

    become weaker and slowly disappear

  • disappear

    go away entirely

文法句型

something persists

persist for + period

用法筆記

Subject is usually a problem, pain, smell, doubt, or other unwanted condition. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 describes something that remains; sense 2 describes someone choosing to go on.

常見錯誤

❌The fever persisted him all week.
✅The fever persisted all week.
💡this sense is intransitive, so it does not take a direct object.
❌She persisted sad after the funeral.
✅Her sadness persisted after the funeral.
💡use a noun for the feeling or situation that remains.

2. to keep doing or saying something after other people tell you to stop, often in

2.動詞不及物C2
釋義

to keep doing or saying something after other people tell you to stop, often in a stubborn way.

例句

Despite three warnings, Owen persisted in parking outside the fire gate.

persist in + -ing

After the refund offer, Rina persisted with her complaint to the manager.

persist with + noun

同義詞
  • insist

    often focuses on strongly saying that something must happen or is true

  • continue

    more neutral; it does not always suggest stubbornness

  • stick to

    common in everyday English for not changing a plan or idea

  • persevere

    more positive; it usually suggests admirable effort through difficulty

反義詞
  • give up

    stop trying

  • drop

    decide not to continue with a plan, demand, or complaint

  • back down

    stop insisting after opposition

文法句型

persist in doing something

persist with something

用法筆記

Often followed by in + -ing or with + noun. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense usually has a person or group as the subject and suggests deliberate stubbornness, not a condition simply remaining.

常見錯誤

❌Lena persisted to call him after midnight.
✅Lena persisted in calling him after midnight.
💡this sense usually takes in + -ing, not a to-infinitive.
❌I persisted my teacher to change the grade.
✅I kept asking my teacher to change the grade.
💡persist does not take a direct object meaning 'persuade someone'.