Cool MateRemains vs That sticks
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Remains
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
That sticks
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Remains
| Remains | That sticks | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmeɪnz/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmeɪnz/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæt stɪks//🇺🇸 //ðæt stɪks// |
| Meaning | what is left after something has gone or been removed | Something that remains attached or is difficult to remove. |
| Example | The archaeologists uncovered the remains of an ancient civilization buried beneath the desert. | That really sticks with me, even years later. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | abundant, considerable, extensive, discover, find, locate, survive, lie, date from…, among the remains, in the remains, abundant, considerable, extensive, discover, find, locate, survive, lie, date from…, among the remains, in the remains, abundant, considerable, extensive, discover, find, locate, survive, lie, date from…, among the remains, in the remains | that really sticks, something that sticks, an idea that sticks, a memory that sticks, a thought that sticks |
| Antonyms | disappears, leaves, vanishes | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'remains' with 'remain' — 'remain' is a verb., Using 'remains' in singular form when referring to multiple items., Mixing up 'remains' with 'leftovers' when discussing food. | Confused with 'that stick' referring to a physical object., Used incorrectly in formal writing where it may sound too casual. |
| Usage notes | Used when referring to leftovers or parts that are still present. Often used in both everyday and formal contexts, but can seem more serious when discussing topics like history or archaeology. | Use in informal conversations. It's often a metaphor for ideas or memories that are hard to forget. Be cautious using it in professional settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Remains vs That sticks
What's the difference between Remains and That sticks?
Remains: what is left after something has gone or been removed That sticks: Something that remains attached or is difficult to remove.
Which is more common: Remains and That sticks?
Remains is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Remains: The archaeologists uncovered the remains of an ancient civilization buried beneath the desert. That sticks: That really sticks with me, even years later.
Can I use Remains and That sticks interchangeably?
Not always. Remains and That sticks 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.