Cool MateRemain vs Wait there
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Remain
Top 1,000 (very common)B1
Wait there
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Remain
| Remain | Wait there | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //weɪt ðeə//🇺🇸 //weɪt ðɛr// |
| Meaning | To stay in the same place or condition. | Stay in the same place. |
| Example | Please remain silent during the presentation. | Can you wait there for a moment while I grab my coat? |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Collocations | remain calm, remain silent, remain in place, remain unchanged, remain focused | wait there for a moment, wait there until I return, can you wait there |
| Antonyms | leave, depart, exit | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'stay' - 'remain' feels slightly more formal., Used incorrectly in passive constructions., Misplaced in sentences where a continuous tense is needed. | 'Wait there' is often confused with 'wait here' which means to stay where you are., Some learners forget to include 'there', making it sound incomplete., Using 'wait' without a pronoun can sound awkward. |
| 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 'wait there' when you want someone to stay in a specific spot, often in casual conversation. It's appropriate in both friendly and polite contexts, but may not be suitable in very formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Remain vs Wait there
What's the difference between Remain and Wait there?
Remain: To stay in the same place or condition. Wait there: Stay in the same place.
Which is more common: Remain and Wait there?
Remain is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Remain: Please remain silent during the presentation. Wait there: Can you wait there for a moment while I grab my coat?
Can I use Remain and Wait there interchangeably?
Not always. Remain and Wait there 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.