Cool MateStay here vs Stay still
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Stay here
Top 1,000 (very common)
Stay still
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Stay here
| Stay here | Stay still | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //steɪ hɪə//🇺🇸 //steɪ hɪr// | 🇬🇧 //steɪ stɪl//🇺🇸 //steɪ stɪl// |
| Meaning | Don't leave this place. | Don't move. |
| Example | Please stay here while I find a seat. | Please, stay still while I take your picture. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | stay here for now, stay here and wait, stay here with me | stay still for a photo, stay still in class, stay still during surgery, stay still for safety |
| Antonyms | leave, go away, depart | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'stay away' which means to not come near., Incorrectly using 'stay' with a subject that does not fit, like 'stay he'. | Confusing with 'stay quiet', which means to not speak., Omitting 'still' and saying just 'stay' which changes the meaning., Using it inappropriately in situations where movement is expected. |
| Usage notes | Used to instruct someone to remain in a specific location. More common in neutral and informal contexts, but can be appropriate in formal situations too. | Used to instruct someone to remain in one position. Common in both spoken and written English. Not suitable for formal contexts but acceptable in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Stay here vs Stay still
What's the difference between Stay here and Stay still?
Stay here: Don't leave this place. Stay still: Don't move.
Which is more common: Stay here and Stay still?
Stay here is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Stay here: Please stay here while I find a seat. Stay still: Please, stay still while I take your picture.
Can I use Stay here and Stay still interchangeably?
Not always. Stay here and Stay still 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.