persistent

persistent — adjective

1. continuing over a long period, or staying present even after people try to stop,

1.形容詞B2
釋義

continuing over a long period, or staying present even after people try to stop, cure, or remove it.

例句

The persistent rain kept the football field wet all weekend.

persistent + weather noun

A persistent cough woke Nina up three times during the night.

persistent + symptom noun

同義詞
  • lasting

    neutral and broad; often used for effects, value, or change

  • lingering

    often suggests something stays longer than wanted, especially smells or feelings

  • chronic

    mainly used for long-term illness or problems, especially in medicine

反義詞

文法句型

persistent + problem/symptom/weather noun

be persistent for + period of time

用法筆記

Usually describes problems, symptoms, weather, or unwanted conditions that keep coming back or do not clear up. Distinguish this sense from sense 2, which describes a person or behaviour that keeps pushing toward a goal.

常見錯誤

❌I need a persistent marker for this poster.
✅I need a permanent marker for this poster.
💡permanent describes something meant to stay; persistent describes something that continues or is hard to remove.
❌The cough persisted for weeks, so it was very persisted.
✅The cough persisted for weeks, so it was very persistent.
💡use the adjective 'persistent' after 'be'.

2. continuing to push for something despite problems, refusal, or criticism, someti

2.形容詞C2
釋義

continuing to push for something despite problems, refusal, or criticism, sometimes in a way that annoys other people.

例句

Luca was persistent and emailed the landlord again after no reply.

persistent person after silence or refusal

Her persistent questions finally got the coach to explain the rules.

persistent + questions

同義詞
  • determined

    more clearly positive and focused on inner resolve

  • tenacious

    stronger and more formal, often praising someone who does not give up

  • insistent

    focuses on repeated demands or pressure on other people

  • stubborn

    more negative, suggesting refusal to change even when wrong

反義詞

文法句型

be persistent about + thing

be persistent with + person

be persistent in + -ing

persistent + questions/caller/neighbour

用法筆記

Often appears with words such as 'questions', 'caller', 'campaign', or 'request', and it can sound either admiring or slightly critical depending on context. Distinguish this sense from sense 1, where the thing itself continues rather than someone actively keeping at it.

常見錯誤

❌She was persistent to get the visa.
✅She was persistent in trying to get the visa.
💡this adjective does not normally take a direct to-infinitive.
❌Ken was persistent for borrowing my bike.
✅Ken was persistent about borrowing my bike.
💡use 'about' before the thing a person keeps asking for.