Cool MatePersistent vs Repeated
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Persistent
Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Repeated
Top 2,000 (common)B1adjective
| Persistent | Repeated | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/pəˈsɪstənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈsɪstənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈpiːtɪd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈpiːtɪd/"]/ |
| Meaning | Continuing to do something despite difficulties. | Something that happens again and again. |
| Example | She showed persistent effort in completing the project despite numerous obstacles. | repeated absences from work |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, extremely, incredibly, really, be, extremely, incredibly, really | repeated attempts, repeated measures, repeated failures, repeated requests |
| Antonyms | temporary, yielding, intermittent | unique, singular, one-time |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'consistant' which means something different., Using 'persistent' in a positive context only; it can also refer to annoying behavior., Mispronouncing the word, especially the 's' sound. | Using 'repeated' in more formal contexts when 'recurring' might be better., Confusing 'repeated' with 'repetitive', which implies annoying or dull., Forgetting to use 'repeatedly' for adverbial forms. |
| Usage notes | Use 'persistent' in texts where determination or refusing to give up is highlighted. It's more appropriate in formal or neutral contexts, while not commonly used in casual conversation. | Use 'repeated' to describe actions or events that occur multiple times. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in contexts that require precision, such as scientific measurements. |
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Frequently asked questions: Persistent vs Repeated
What's the difference between Persistent and Repeated?
Persistent: Continuing to do something despite difficulties. Repeated: Something that happens again and again.
Which is more advanced: Persistent and Repeated?
Persistent is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Persistent and Repeated the same CEFR level?
Persistent: C1, Repeated: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Persistent and Repeated?
Persistent: adjective, Repeated: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Persistent: She showed persistent effort in completing the project despite numerous obstacles. Repeated: repeated absences from work
Can I use Persistent and Repeated interchangeably?
Not always. Persistent and Repeated 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.