What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
remained
Example
The old building remained standing despite the earthquake. [remained: verb]
Example
She remained silent throughout the entire meeting. [remained: past tense]
Example
A few questions remained unanswered after the lecture. [remained: past participle]
persist
Example
The problem persisted despite our efforts to solve it. [persisted: verb]
Example
She persisted in her studies despite facing many challenges. [persisted: past tense]
Example
The effects of the pandemic are likely to persist for years to come. [persist: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Remained is more commonly used than persist in everyday language. Remained is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while persist is less common and tends to be used in more formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between remained and persist?
Persist is generally considered more formal than remained. While remained can be used in both formal and informal contexts, persist is more commonly used in formal or technical writing.
