Cool MateDon't go vs Hold on vs Remain vs Stay
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't go
Top 1,000 (very common)
Hold on
Top 2,000 (common)
Remain
Top 1,000 (very common)B1
Stay
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Don't go | Hold on | Remain | Stay | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //doʊnt ɡoʊ// | 🇬🇧 //həʊld ɒn//🇺🇸 //hoʊld ɑn// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/steɪ/","/steɪz/","/steɪd/","/ˈsteɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/steɪ/","/steɪz/","/steɪd/","/ˈsteɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Do not leave. | Wait a moment | To stay in the same place or condition. | to remain in a place or not leave |
| Example | Don't go without saying goodbye! | Please hold on while I check the information. | Please remain silent during the presentation. | Please stay here until I return. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | - | B1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |||
| Collocations | Don't go away, Don't go too far, Don't go just yet | hold on a second, hold on tight, hold on the line | remain calm, remain silent, remain in place, remain unchanged, remain focused | behind, on, on, allow somebody to, can, manage to, at, in, on, a place to stay, a reason to stay, stay and chat, help, etc., behind, on, on, allow somebody to, can, manage to, at, in, on, a place to stay, a reason to stay, stay and chat, help, etc. |
| Antonyms | - | rush, hurry, advance | leave, depart, exit | leave, depart, go |
| Common mistakes | Adding 'to' (e.g., 'Don't go to') when it is not needed., Confusing with 'Don't leave' - both are similar but can have different contexts., Using it in formal situations where a softer tone is needed. | Confused with 'hold up' which means to delay, Using it in very formal contexts where 'please wait' is better, Not using it as a standalone phrase | Confused with 'stay' - 'remain' feels slightly more formal., Used incorrectly in passive constructions., Misplaced in sentences where a continuous tense is needed. | Using 'stay' with an object when it should be intransitive (e.g., saying 'stay the book' instead of 'stay at home'), Mixing up 'stay' with 'wait' when referring to time spent, Confusing 'stay' with 'remain' in contexts where only one fits. |
| Usage notes | Used to advise or warn someone against leaving a place. Common in both spoken and written English, but can be considered informal depending on context. | Use 'hold on' when asking someone to wait briefly. It's appropriate in casual conversations but can be used in more formal situations as well. Avoid in very formal writing. | 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. | Use 'stay' when you want to express remaining somewhere, often temporary. It's versatile for casual and formal contexts. Avoid using it in highly formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Don't go vs Hold on vs Remain vs Stay
What's the difference between Don't go, Hold on, Remain, and Stay?
Don't go: Do not leave. Hold on: Wait a moment Remain: To stay in the same place or condition. Stay: to remain in a place or not leave
Which is more advanced: Don't go, Hold on, Remain, and Stay?
Remain is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Don't go: Don't go without saying goodbye! Hold on: Please hold on while I check the information. Remain: Please remain silent during the presentation. Stay: Please stay here until I return.
Can I use Don't go, Hold on, Remain, and Stay interchangeably?
Not always. Don't go, Hold on, Remain, and Stay 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.