Cool MateDon't go vs Stay
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't go
Top 1,000 (very common)
Stay
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Don't go | Stay | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //doʊnt ɡoʊ// | 🇬🇧 /["/steɪ/","/steɪz/","/steɪd/","/ˈsteɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/steɪ/","/steɪz/","/steɪd/","/ˈsteɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Do not leave. | to remain in a place or not leave |
| Example | Don't go without saying goodbye! | Please stay here until I return. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | Don't go away, Don't go too far, Don't go just yet | behind, on, on, allow somebody to, can, manage to, at, in, on, a place to stay, a reason to stay, stay and chat, help, etc., behind, on, on, allow somebody to, can, manage to, at, in, on, a place to stay, a reason to stay, stay and chat, help, etc. |
| Antonyms | - | leave, depart, go |
| Common mistakes | Adding 'to' (e.g., 'Don't go to') when it is not needed., Confusing with 'Don't leave' - both are similar but can have different contexts., Using it in formal situations where a softer tone is needed. | Using 'stay' with an object when it should be intransitive (e.g., saying 'stay the book' instead of 'stay at home'), Mixing up 'stay' with 'wait' when referring to time spent, Confusing 'stay' with 'remain' in contexts where only one fits. |
| Usage notes | Used to advise or warn someone against leaving a place. Common in both spoken and written English, but can be considered informal depending on context. | Use 'stay' when you want to express remaining somewhere, often temporary. It's versatile for casual and formal contexts. Avoid using it in highly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Don't go vs Stay
What's the difference between Don't go and Stay?
Don't go: Do not leave. Stay: to remain in a place or not leave
Can you show an example of each?
Don't go: Don't go without saying goodbye! Stay: Please stay here until I return.
Can I use Don't go and Stay interchangeably?
Not always. Don't go and Stay are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.