Remain vs You may go no further

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

Remain

Top 1,000 (very common)B1

You may go no further

FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: You may go no furtherMost common: Remain
 RemainYou may go no further
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmeɪn/","/rɪˈmeɪnz/","/rɪˈmeɪnd/","/rɪˈmeɪnɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //juː meɪ ɡoʊ noʊ ˈfɜːrðər//🇺🇸 //ju meɪ ɡoʊ noʊ ˈfɜrðər//
MeaningTo stay in the same place or condition.You cannot continue beyond this point.
ExamplePlease remain silent during the presentation.The sign clearly states, 'You may go no further' beyond this point.
RegisterNeutralFormal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelB1-
Collocationsremain calm, remain silent, remain in place, remain unchanged, remain focusedgo no further, stop right there, advance not, proceed prohibited, continue restrained
Antonymsleave, depart, exit-
Common mistakesConfused with 'stay' - 'remain' feels slightly more formal., Used incorrectly in passive constructions., Misplaced in sentences where a continuous tense is needed.Confusing with 'You may not go further,' which sounds more strict., Using it in informal situations where a simpler phrase would suffice., Misplacing 'no' and 'further,' making it sound incorrect.
Usage notesUse '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.This phrase is often used as a warning or instruction in formal contexts, such as signs or spoken commands. It's not commonly used in casual conversations.

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You may go no further

Frequently asked questions: Remain vs You may go no further

What's the difference between Remain and You may go no further?

Remain: To stay in the same place or condition. You may go no further: You cannot continue beyond this point.

Which is more formal: Remain and You may go no further?

You may go no further is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Remain and You may go no further?

Remain is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Remain: Please remain silent during the presentation. You may go no further: The sign clearly states, 'You may go no further' beyond this point.

Can I use Remain and You may go no further interchangeably?

Not always. Remain and You may go no further 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.

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