Cool MateRemain vs Stay on the ground
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Remain
Top 1,000 (very common)B1
Stay on the ground
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Remain
| Remain | Stay on the ground | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //steɪ ɒn ðə ɡraʊnd//🇺🇸 //steɪ ɑn ðə ɡraʊnd// |
| Meaning | To stay in the same place or condition. | To remain where you are without moving. |
| Example | Please remain silent during the presentation. | Please stay on the ground until the signal is given. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Collocations | remain calm, remain silent, remain in place, remain unchanged, remain focused | stay on task, stay on schedule, stay on point |
| Antonyms | leave, depart, exit | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'stay' - 'remain' feels slightly more formal., Used incorrectly in passive constructions., Misplaced in sentences where a continuous tense is needed. | Confused with 'stay in the ground' instead of 'stay on the ground'., Omitting 'the' before 'ground'., Using 'stay to' instead of 'stay on'. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Often used in instructions or advice. Avoid in very casual or slang-heavy conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Remain vs Stay on the ground
What's the difference between Remain and Stay on the ground?
Remain: To stay in the same place or condition. Stay on the ground: To remain where you are without moving.
Which is more common: Remain and Stay on the ground?
Remain is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Remain: Please remain silent during the presentation. Stay on the ground: Please stay on the ground until the signal is given.
Can I use Remain and Stay on the ground interchangeably?
Not always. Remain and Stay on the ground 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.