Cool MateRemain vs Waiting
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Remain
Top 1,000 (very common)B1
Waiting
Top 1,000 (very common)
| Remain | Waiting | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈweɪtɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈweɪtɪŋ// |
| Meaning | To stay in the same place or condition. | staying in one place until something happens |
| Example | Please remain silent during the presentation. | I am waiting for the bus to arrive. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Collocations | remain calm, remain silent, remain in place, remain unchanged, remain focused | waiting for someone, waiting in line, waiting on a decision |
| Antonyms | leave, depart, exit | rushing, hurrying |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'stay' - 'remain' feels slightly more formal., Used incorrectly in passive constructions., Misplaced in sentences where a continuous tense is needed. | Using the wrong preposition, like 'waiting to' instead of 'waiting for', Confusing 'wait for' with 'wait on', Overusing in formal contexts where 'await' is more appropriate |
| 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. | Commonly used in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid in very formal writing; instead, you might use 'pending' or 'awaiting'. |
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Frequently asked questions: Remain vs Waiting
What's the difference between Remain and Waiting?
Remain: To stay in the same place or condition. Waiting: staying in one place until something happens
Can you show an example of each?
Remain: Please remain silent during the presentation. Waiting: I am waiting for the bus to arrive.
Can I use Remain and Waiting interchangeably?
Not always. Remain and Waiting 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.