He's as stubborn as you are vs Persistent

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

He's as stubborn as you are

Top 2,000 (common)

Persistent

Top 2,000 (common)C1adjective
 He's as stubborn as you arePersistent
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //hiːz əz ˈstʌb.ən əz jʊ ɑː//🇺🇸 //hiz əz ˈstʌbərn əz jʊ ɑr//🇬🇧 /["/pəˈsɪstənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pərˈsɪstənt/"]/
MeaningHe is very hard to change his mind, just like you.Continuing to do something despite difficulties.
ExampleHe's as stubborn as you are when it comes to certain issues.She showed persistent effort in completing the project despite numerous obstacles.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level-C1
Part of speechadjective
Collocationsbe as stubborn as, as stubborn as a mule, stubborn as a rockbe, extremely, incredibly, really, be, extremely, incredibly, really
Antonyms-temporary, yielding, intermittent
Common mistakes'As' is sometimes omitted, which changes the structure., Misusing 'stubborn' in contexts that don't convey a strong refusal., Using it without proper comparison context.Confusing with 'consistant' which means something different., Using 'persistent' in a positive context only; it can also refer to annoying behavior., Mispronouncing the word, especially the 's' sound.
Usage notesThis phrase is used to compare two people. It's appropriate in informal and formal contexts but can be negative. Avoid using it in a very formal setting.Use 'persistent' in texts where determination or refusing to give up is highlighted. It's more appropriate in formal or neutral contexts, while not commonly used in casual conversation.

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He's as stubborn as you are
Persistent

Frequently asked questions: He's as stubborn as you are vs Persistent

What's the difference between He's as stubborn as you are and Persistent?

He's as stubborn as you are: He is very hard to change his mind, just like you. Persistent: Continuing to do something despite difficulties.

Can you show an example of each?

He's as stubborn as you are: He's as stubborn as you are when it comes to certain issues. Persistent: She showed persistent effort in completing the project despite numerous obstacles.

Can I use He's as stubborn as you are and Persistent interchangeably?

Not always. He's as stubborn as you are and Persistent 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.