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Phrasal verbs "stay on" vs "leave on"

Differences between stay on and leave on

Stay on means to continue to be in a place or situation, while leave on means to keep something turned on or activated.

Meanings and Definitions: stay on vs leave on

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Stay on

  • 1Remain longer than anticipated.

    She STAYED ON after she graduated to do a Master's degree.

Leave on

  • 1Not turn off.

    LEAVE the TV ON; I want to hear the football results.

Usage Examples: stay on, leave on in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

stay on

Example

She decided to stay on at the company after her internship ended.

Example

He stays on at work late to finish his tasks.

leave on

Example

Please leave the light on in the hallway.

Example

She always leaves the radio on when she goes out.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Stay on

keep going

To continue doing something without stopping.

Example

Despite the challenges, she decided to keep going with her studies and eventually graduated with honors.

remain in place

To stay or continue to be in a specific location or position.

Example

He asked the team to remain in place until he returned with further instructions.

stick around

To remain in a place or situation for a period of time.

Example

I'll stick around for a bit longer to see if anyone else shows up.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Leave on

keep running

To continue operating or functioning.

Example

He forgot to keep the dishwasher running overnight, so he had to wash the dishes by hand in the morning.

keep activated

To maintain the activation or operation of a device or appliance.

Example

She always keeps the air conditioner activated during hot summer days to stay cool and comfortable.

keep turned on

To maintain the power supply or operation of a device or appliance.

Example

He asked his assistant to keep the lights turned on while he finished working on the project.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “stay”

Phrasal Verbs with “leave”

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

Differences in stay on vs leave on: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: stay on or leave on?

In daily conversation, people use stay on more often than leave on. This is because stay on is used for more common situations such as staying at a place or continuing with an activity. Leave on is not used as much, and it's mainly used when we're talking about keeping a device or appliance turned on. So, while both phrases are used, stay on is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of stay on and leave on

Stay on and leave on are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of stay on and leave on

The tone of stay on and leave on can differ based on context. Stay on often carries a positive or neutral tone when related to continuing an activity or being in a place, while leave on typically has a practical and casual tone, especially when referring to keeping devices or appliances turned on.

stay on & leave on: Synonyms and Antonyms

Leave on

Synonyms

  • keep on
  • maintain on
  • continue running
  • let run

Antonyms

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