Cool MateGo on vs Persist
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Go on
Top 1,000 (very common)
Persist
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Go on
| Go on | Persist | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɡəʊ ɒn//🇺🇸 //ɡoʊ ɑn// | 🇬🇧 //pəˈsɪst//🇺🇸 //pərˈsɪst// |
| Meaning | to continue doing something | To keep trying despite difficulties or obstacles. |
| Example | Please go on with your story. | Despite numerous setbacks, she decided to persist with her research project. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | go on talking, go on with life, go on a trip, go on a mission, go on stage | persist in doing something, persist with a plan, persist through challenges |
| Antonyms | stop, cease, halt | give up, quit, yield |
| Common mistakes | Using 'go on' with a direct object incorrectly., Confusing with 'go on with' — which has a different meaning., Incorrect use of verb forms after 'go on.' | Confused with 'insist' - both imply persistence but have different uses., Incorrect verb form - it's 'persisted' for past tense, not 'persisted' for plural subjects., Omitting subject pronoun is common in informal speech. |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written English. Avoid in very formal contexts. Common in informal conversations. | Use 'persist' when you want to express determination to continue with an action. It can apply to personal efforts, research, or legislative processes. Avoid using it in casual contexts where simpler words like 'hang on' might be more appropriate. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Go on vs Persist
What's the difference between Go on and Persist?
Go on: to continue doing something Persist: To keep trying despite difficulties or obstacles.
Which is more common: Go on and Persist?
Go on is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Go on: Please go on with your story. Persist: Despite numerous setbacks, she decided to persist with her research project.
Can I use Go on and Persist interchangeably?
Not always. Go on and Persist 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.