Cool MateRemain vs Stay
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Remain
Top 1,000 (very common)B1
Stay
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Remain | Stay | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/steɪ/","/steɪz/","/steɪd/","/ˈsteɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/steɪ/","/steɪz/","/steɪd/","/ˈsteɪɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To stay in the same place or condition. | to remain in a place or not leave |
| Example | Please remain silent during the presentation. | Please stay here until I return. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | 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 | leave, depart, exit | leave, depart, go |
| 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 '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 | 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: Remain vs Stay
What's the difference between Remain and Stay?
Remain: To stay in the same place or condition. Stay: to remain in a place or not leave
Which is more advanced: Remain and Stay?
Remain is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Remain and Stay the same CEFR level?
Remain: B1, Stay: A1 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Remain: Please remain silent during the presentation. Stay: Please stay here until I return.
Can I use Remain and Stay interchangeably?
Not always. 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.