What are the definitions of “stay over”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Stay overnight.
I STAYED OVER at a friend's house last night because of the train strike.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “stay over”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb stay over is to spend the night at someone else's house or another place instead of going home. This often happens when it is too late, inconvenient, or unsafe to return home.
What are the different verb forms of “stay over”?
| Root Verb | stay over |
| Third Person Singular Present | stays over |
| Present Participle | staying over |
| Simple Past | stayed over |
| Past Participle | stayed over |
Example
Can I stay over at your place tonight?
Example
She often stays over at her friend's house after a late-night study session.
Example
He is staying over at his cousin's house during the holidays.
Example
They stayed over at a hotel after the concert.
Example
We have stayed over at their place a few times before.
What kind of phrasal verb is “stay over”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“stay over” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
She stayed over after the party.
Example
He stayed over at his friend's house.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“stay over” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She stayed over after the party.
Example
He stayed over at his friend's house.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “stay over”?
Good things to know
Does “stay over” have an informal or formal tone?
Stay over is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal situations. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and can also be used in more formal settings, depending on the context.
