Word
persistently
Phoneticsper·sis·tent·ly, stress on the second syllable
US/pɝˈsɪstəntɫi/
UK/pəsˈɪstəntli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. to do something again and again, even if it is difficult or if people try to stop you.
adv. continuing firmly or obstinately in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition; occurring repeatedly over a prolonged period.
Examples
“He persistently asked for a promotion until he got one.”
“The local community has persistently campaigned for a new library despite several budget cuts from the city council.”
“The witness persistently maintained her version of events throughout the cross-examination, refusing to be rattled by the defense attorney's aggressive questioning.”
Examples
simple
“He persistently asked for a promotion until he got one.”
contextual
“The local community has persistently campaigned for a new library despite several budget cuts from the city council.”
complex
“The witness persistently maintained her version of events throughout the cross-examination, refusing to be rattled by the defense attorney's aggressive questioning.”
Usage
Typically placed before the verb it modifies or at the end of a clause to emphasize duration and effort.
Pitfall
He is persistently to call me.
He persistently calls me.
Learners sometimes use 'persistently' with an infinitive like an adjective; it should modify the main verb directly.
Real-World Examples
“But the fact that Fifa has been forced to mitigate for its president’s actions is another humiliation for a persistently scandal-hit organisation.” “However, the results indicated the opposite: Feelings of emotional support were less likely to be associated with positive thinking and more likely to be associated with persistently dwelling on negative thoughts.” Etymology
From persistent + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/persistently