Cool MateDon't go vs Remain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't go
Top 1,000 (very common)
Remain
Top 1,000 (very common)B1
| Don't go | Remain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //doʊnt ɡoʊ// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Do not leave. | To stay in the same place or condition. |
| Example | Don't go without saying goodbye! | Please remain silent during the presentation. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Collocations | Don't go away, Don't go too far, Don't go just yet | remain calm, remain silent, remain in place, remain unchanged, remain focused |
| Antonyms | - | leave, depart, exit |
| 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 'stay' - 'remain' feels slightly more formal., Used incorrectly in passive constructions., Misplaced in sentences where a continuous tense is needed. |
| 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 '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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Don't go vs Remain
What's the difference between Don't go and Remain?
Don't go: Do not leave. Remain: To stay in the same place or condition.
Can you show an example of each?
Don't go: Don't go without saying goodbye! Remain: Please remain silent during the presentation.
Can I use Don't go and Remain interchangeably?
Not always. Don't go and Remain 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.