What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
importunity
Example
The importunity of the salesman was starting to irritate me. [importunity: noun]
Example
She kept calling me every day, asking for a job, with increasing importunity. [importunity: adverb]
persistence
Example
His persistence in pursuing his dreams paid off in the end. [persistence: noun]
Example
She persisted in her efforts to learn English, even though it was challenging. [persisted: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Persistence is more commonly used than importunity in everyday language. Persistence is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while importunity is less common and has a more negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between importunity and persistence?
While importunity is typically associated with a negative and informal tone, persistence is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in a wide range of situations.
