What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
last
Example
The last piece of cake is all yours. [last: adjective]
Example
The concert lasted for three hours. [last: verb]
Example
Her strength and determination lasted through the entire marathon. [lasted: past tense]
persist
Example
She persisted in her efforts to learn a new language. [persisted: past tense]
Example
Despite setbacks, he persisted in pursuing his dream. [persisted: verb]
Example
The issue of climate change persists despite global efforts to address it. [persists: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Last is more commonly used than persist in everyday language. Last is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while persist is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between last and persist?
Both last and persist are neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
