Cool MateIt says stay vs Remain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It says stay
Top 3,000 (common)
Remain
Top 1,000 (very common)B1
Most common: Remain
| It says stay | Remain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪt seɪz steɪ//🇺🇸 //ɪt seɪz steɪ// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | It means to remain in one place. | To stay in the same place or condition. |
| Example | When the teacher gives instructions, it says stay quietly in your seats. | Please remain silent during the presentation. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Collocations | it says to stay, it says stay put, it says stay here | remain calm, remain silent, remain in place, remain unchanged, remain focused |
| Antonyms | - | leave, depart, exit |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'it says to stay'., Overusing in wrong contexts, like formal writing. | Confused with 'stay' - 'remain' feels slightly more formal., Used incorrectly in passive constructions., Misplaced in sentences where a continuous tense is needed. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts where instructions or encouragement are given. It's straightforward and can be informal or formal, depending on the situation. | Use 'remain' in both written and spoken English. It's suitable for formal contexts, like reports or discussions, but also works in everyday conversation. Avoid using it in casual slang as it sounds too formal. |
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Frequently asked questions: It says stay vs Remain
What's the difference between It says stay and Remain?
It says stay: It means to remain in one place. Remain: To stay in the same place or condition.
Which is more common: It says stay and Remain?
Remain is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
It says stay: When the teacher gives instructions, it says stay quietly in your seats. Remain: Please remain silent during the presentation.
Can I use It says stay and Remain interchangeably?
Not always. It says stay and Remain 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.