What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
continue
Example
Let's continue working on this project tomorrow. [continue: verb]
Example
The movie continued after a brief intermission. [continued: past tense]
persist
Example
She persisted in her efforts to learn a new language. [persisted: past tense]
Example
The rain persisted throughout the day, making it difficult to go outside. [persisted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Continue is more commonly used than persist in everyday language. Continue is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while persist is less common and has a more specific connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between continue and persist?
Both continue and persist can be used in formal and informal contexts, and neither is particularly more formal than the other.
