Persist means to keep going firmly, whether in action or existence, especially when faced with challenges.
30초 단어
- Continue doing something despite difficulties.
- Exist or remain for a long time.
- Implies determination or stubbornness.
- More formal than 'continue', stronger than 'go on'.
Overview
- 1Overview: The verb 'persist' fundamentally means to continue to do something or to exist, often despite challenges or difficulties. It carries a strong connotation of determination, resilience, and endurance. When applied to actions or efforts, it suggests a refusal to give up, a steadfast commitment to a goal or belief. When applied to states or conditions, it implies longevity and a stubborn refusal to fade away or cease. The nuance lies in the implied struggle or the remarkable duration. It's not just about continuing; it's about continuing when it might be easier or more natural to stop.
- 1Usage Patterns: 'Persist' is a versatile word used across various registers. In formal settings, such as academic papers, business reports, or legal documents, it often describes unwavering efforts, policies, or conditions. For example, 'The company persisted with its strategy despite market fluctuations.' In spoken English, it's common in everyday conversation, particularly when discussing personal challenges or the stubbornness of something. 'The rain persisted all day.' Regional variations are minimal; 'persist' is widely understood and used consistently across English-speaking regions. It can be used in both written and spoken contexts, though its slightly formal tone might lend itself more to written communication when describing significant efforts or enduring phenomena.
**Common Contexts:**
- Work/Business: Describing tenacious employees, enduring market conditions, or long-term projects. 'She persisted in her job search until she found the right role.' 'The economic downturn persisted for several years.'
- School/Academia: Referring to students who overcome academic hurdles or researchers who stick to a difficult line of inquiry. 'He persisted with his thesis despite numerous setbacks.'
- Daily Life: Talking about weather that doesn't let up, a lingering smell, or someone's continued effort towards a personal goal. 'The coughing persisted for weeks.' 'Despite the initial rejection, he persisted in pursuing his dream.'
- Media/Literature: Often used to portray characters' unwavering resolve or to describe ongoing situations. Authors might use it to add weight to a character's struggle or the persistence of a societal issue.
**Comparison with Similar Words:**
- Continue: This is a more neutral term. 'Continue' simply means to go on without stopping. 'Persist' implies continuing despite something – difficulty, opposition, or a long duration. You can 'continue' walking, but you 'persist' in walking when your legs are tired or the path is steep.
- Persevere: Very close in meaning to 'persist' when referring to actions. 'Persevere' also emphasizes continuing despite difficulty, often with a slightly more positive or admirable connotation of enduring hardship with courage. 'Persist' can sometimes imply stubbornness, while 'persevere' usually implies admirable resolve.
- Endure: This word focuses more on the capacity to withstand hardship or suffering over time. While something that persists might endure, 'endure' highlights the suffering or difficulty being borne. 'The ancient ruins have endured for centuries.' (Focus on survival). 'He persisted in his efforts to restore them.' (Focus on action against odds).
- Last: Similar to 'persist' when referring to duration, but 'last' is more about the simple fact of continuing until a certain point or for a certain time, without the implication of struggle. 'The sale will last until Friday.' 'The smell persisted long after the food was gone.' (Implies an unwanted continuation).
- 1Register & Tone: 'Persist' generally falls into the neutral to formal register. It's suitable for most contexts but can sound slightly more serious or determined than simple 'continue'. Avoid using it in very casual, light-hearted conversation unless you are deliberately emphasizing someone's stubbornness or a long-lasting, perhaps annoying, situation. It's generally a positive or neutral term when describing effort, but can carry a negative connotation of being annoyingly stubborn or difficult to get rid of when describing conditions or behaviors.
**Common Collocations explained in context:**
- Persist in: This is the most common prepositional phrase. 'She persisted in her attempts to contact him.' (She kept trying to contact him, perhaps facing difficulty).
- Persist with: Similar to 'persist in', often used for actions or plans. 'The team persisted with their original plan.' (They continued with the plan, perhaps against advice).
- Persist (on its own): Used when the object of persistence is understood or implied. 'Despite the setbacks, he persisted.' (He continued his efforts).
- Persisted for [time period]: Used to emphasize duration. 'The drought persisted for three years.' (The drought lasted for three years and didn't end quickly).
- Stubbornly persist: Adds emphasis to the determination, sometimes with a negative tinge. 'He stubbornly persisted in his belief, ignoring all evidence.'
- Continue to persist: A slightly redundant but emphatic phrase, highlighting the ongoing nature. 'The symptoms continue to persist.'
예시
The toddler persisted in asking for a cookie, even after being told 'no' multiple times.
everydayO pequeno insistiu em pedir um biscoito, mesmo depois de ouvir 'não' várias vezes.
Despite initial setbacks, the team persisted with their innovative design.
businessApesar dos contratempos iniciais, a equipe persistiu com seu design inovador.
The researcher persisted in her line of inquiry, eventually making a groundbreaking discovery.
academicA pesquisadora persistiu em sua linha de investigação, eventualmente fazendo uma descoberta inovadora.
A faint, musty odor persisted in the old library.
literaryUm leve odor de mofo persistiu na velha biblioteca.
Don't give up! You have to persist if you want to achieve your goals.
informalNão desista! Você tem que persistir se quiser alcançar seus objetivos.
The rain persisted all weekend, ruining our camping plans.
everydayA chuva persistiu durante todo o fim de semana, arruinando nossos planos de acampamento.
He's been trying to fix that leaky faucet for weeks; he really persists.
informalEle está tentando consertar aquela torneira pingando há semanas; ele realmente persiste.
자주 쓰는 조합
자주 쓰는 구문
persist in doing something
continuar fazendo algo
persist with something
continuar com algo
it persists
isso continua / isso persiste
pain persists
a dor persiste
자주 혼동되는 단어
'Continue' simply means to go on without interruption. 'Persist' implies continuing *despite* difficulty or opposition, adding a layer of determination or endurance.
Both mean to continue despite difficulty. 'Persevere' often emphasizes enduring hardship with courage and hope, suggesting a more admirable struggle, while 'persist' can sometimes imply mere stubbornness.
'Insist' means to demand something forcefully or state something forcefully, often refusing to change one's mind. 'Persist' is about continuing an action or state over time, not necessarily about demanding or stating forcefully.
문법 패턴
How to Use It
사용 참고사항
While 'persist' can be used in everyday conversation, it often carries a slightly more formal or serious tone than 'continue'. Be mindful that it can sometimes imply stubbornness, especially when referring to negative conditions or behaviors that are difficult to stop. In British English, 'persist with' is very common for actions, similar to 'persist in' in American English, though both are understood.
자주 하는 실수
Learners sometimes use 'persist to + infinitive' (e.g., 'persist to try'). The correct structures are typically 'persist in + -ing verb' (e.g., 'persist in trying') or 'persist in + noun' (e.g., 'persist in his efforts'). Also, confusing it with 'insist' is common; 'insist' is about demanding or stating forcefully, not enduring over time.
Tips
Focus on the 'Despite'
Remember that 'persist' almost always implies continuing *despite* something – difficulty, opposition, failure, or simply a long duration. This is its key differentiator.
Avoid Overuse in Casual Chat
While usable, 'persist' can sound a bit too formal or intense for very light, everyday chat. Opt for 'keep going' or 'carry on' unless you mean to emphasize the struggle.
The 'Never Give Up' Spirit
In many English-speaking cultures, 'persistence' is highly valued, often linked to success and resilience. Using 'persist' can tap into this cultural appreciation for determination.
Nuance with Adverbs
Use adverbs to fine-tune the meaning. 'He *stubbornly* persisted' (negative), 'She *valiantly* persisted' (positive, though less common), 'The symptoms *unusually* persisted' (surprising duration).
어원
The word 'persist' comes from the Latin 'persistere', meaning 'to continue steadfastly'. It's formed from 'per-' ('through', 'thoroughly') and 'sistere' ('to stand', related to 'stare', 'to stand'). The meaning evolved from 'standing firm throughout' to 'continuing firmly in an opinion or course of action'.
문화적 맥락
The concept of persistence is deeply ingrained in many Western cultures, often celebrated as a key virtue leading to success, akin to the 'American Dream' ideal. Media frequently portrays characters who 'persist' against overwhelming odds, reinforcing this cultural value. However, excessive persistence without adaptability can sometimes be viewed negatively as stubbornness.
암기 팁
Imagine a determined gardener whose prize rose bush just won't die, even through harsh winters. It *persists* – it keeps *per*fectly *sis*ting there against all odds!
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문'Continue' is neutral and simply means to go on. 'Persist' implies continuing *despite* difficulties, opposition, or a prolonged period, suggesting a stronger sense of determination or endurance.
Yes, sometimes. While it often highlights admirable determination, it can also describe something annoyingly stubborn or difficult to remove, like a persistent cough or a persistent rumor.
Yes, it can be. For example, a difficult smell can 'persist', or a certain condition like a drought can 'persist' over time, meaning it continues to exist.
'Persist in' is a common structure meaning to continue firmly in a particular course of action or opinion. For example, 'She persisted in her studies despite the challenges.'
Both mean to continue despite difficulty. 'Persevere' often carries a stronger sense of noble endurance through hardship, while 'persist' can sometimes imply simple stubbornness.
Yes, it is quite common, although perhaps slightly more frequent in writing or more formal speech when emphasizing determination or duration against odds.
Yes, you can 'persist with' a plan, meaning you continue to follow it, often implying that you are doing so despite reasons to change it or difficulties encountered.
A good example is: 'The unusual symptoms persisted for several weeks, baffling doctors.' This shows a condition continuing to exist over a prolonged period.
셀프 테스트
Despite facing numerous rejections, the author ______ in sending her manuscript to publishers.
'Persisted' is the past tense verb needed here to describe a completed action in the past.
The smell of smoke persisted in the room long after the fire was out.
In this context, 'persist' means the smell continued to be present or exist for an extended period.
she / difficulties / despite / persisted / learning / to / language / the
The structure 'persist in doing something' or 'persist in + noun phrase' is common. 'Despite' introduces the challenging circumstances.
He persist to try again even after failing many times.
The verb should be in the past tense ('persisted') to match the past context of failing. Also, the structure 'persist in + -ing form' or 'persist in + noun' is standard, not 'persist to + infinitive'.
점수: /4
Summary
Persist means to keep going firmly, whether in action or existence, especially when faced with challenges.
- Continue doing something despite difficulties.
- Exist or remain for a long time.
- Implies determination or stubbornness.
- More formal than 'continue', stronger than 'go on'.
Focus on the 'Despite'
Remember that 'persist' almost always implies continuing *despite* something – difficulty, opposition, failure, or simply a long duration. This is its key differentiator.
Avoid Overuse in Casual Chat
While usable, 'persist' can sound a bit too formal or intense for very light, everyday chat. Opt for 'keep going' or 'carry on' unless you mean to emphasize the struggle.
The 'Never Give Up' Spirit
In many English-speaking cultures, 'persistence' is highly valued, often linked to success and resilience. Using 'persist' can tap into this cultural appreciation for determination.
Nuance with Adverbs
Use adverbs to fine-tune the meaning. 'He *stubbornly* persisted' (negative), 'She *valiantly* persisted' (positive, though less common), 'The symptoms *unusually* persisted' (surprising duration).
예시
6 / 7The toddler persisted in asking for a cookie, even after being told 'no' multiple times.
O pequeno insistiu em pedir um biscoito, mesmo depois de ouvir 'não' várias vezes.
Despite initial setbacks, the team persisted with their innovative design.
Apesar dos contratempos iniciais, a equipe persistiu com seu design inovador.
The researcher persisted in her line of inquiry, eventually making a groundbreaking discovery.
A pesquisadora persistiu em sua linha de investigação, eventualmente fazendo uma descoberta inovadora.
A faint, musty odor persisted in the old library.
Um leve odor de mofo persistiu na velha biblioteca.
Don't give up! You have to persist if you want to achieve your goals.
Não desista! Você tem que persistir se quiser alcançar seus objetivos.
The rain persisted all weekend, ruining our camping plans.
A chuva persistiu durante todo o fim de semana, arruinando nossos planos de acampamento.
빠른 퀴즈
If the rain _____, the outdoor concert will have to be moved inside.
정답!
정답은: persists
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