Cool MateKeep it going vs Persist
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Keep it going
Top 2,000 (common)
Persist
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
| Keep it going | Persist | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kiːp ɪt ˈɡəʊɪŋ//🇺🇸 //kip ɪt ˈɡoʊɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //pəˈsɪst//🇺🇸 //pərˈsɪst// |
| Meaning | Continue doing something without stopping. | To keep trying despite difficulties or obstacles. |
| Example | Even when times are tough, we must keep it going. | Despite numerous setbacks, she decided to persist with her research project. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | keep it going strong, keep it going well, keep it going forward | persist in doing something, persist with a plan, persist through challenges |
| Antonyms | stop, cease, halt | give up, quit, yield |
| Common mistakes | Using 'keep it going' to mean 'start something'., Incorrectly conjugating verbs after 'keep it going'., Confusing with 'keep going' which implies continuous action. | 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 | Commonly used in both spoken and written English. Appropriate in casual and semi-formal situations, but may feel too informal in very formal contexts. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Keep it going vs Persist
What's the difference between Keep it going and Persist?
Keep it going: Continue doing something without stopping. Persist: To keep trying despite difficulties or obstacles.
Can you show an example of each?
Keep it going: Even when times are tough, we must keep it going. Persist: Despite numerous setbacks, she decided to persist with her research project.
Can I use Keep it going and Persist interchangeably?
Not always. Keep it going 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.