Persistently
/pərˈsɪstəntli/
adverbB2adverb form
Definition
Persistently describes an action done again and again without stopping, often despite problems or difficulties. It shows strong determination to continue trying or working at something until success or a result is reached.
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See It in Action
Doing something continuously and firmly over time
- •She persistently asked for help until someone listened.
- •The rain fell persistently throughout the night.
- •He persistently worked on his project despite many failures.
Showing strong determination without giving up
- •The team persistently trained every day to improve.
- •They persistently called the customer service until the problem was fixed.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "persistently" like "always" or "again and again," but with a strong idea of not stopping even when things are hard
- ✓Picture someone knocking on a door many times, not giving up until someone answers
- ✓It's the feeling when you keep practicing a skill, like playing a song on the piano, even if it is difficult at first
- ✓Sounds like "per-SIS-tent-ly" → imagine a person named "Sis" who never stops doing something until she finishes it
- ✓Think of the story of the tortoise in "The Tortoise and the Hare" who kept moving persistently and won the race
- ✓NOT like "sometimes" (happens now and then), "persistently" means happening all the time without quitting
- ✓NOT like "quickly" (fast action), "persistently" is about steady, long-lasting effort
- ✓NOT like "easily" (without difficulty), "persistently" often means continuing even when it is hard
Try Other Words
- •Steadily: in a regular and continuous way (Use when the action is calm and regular, but may not show strong effort)
- •Relentlessly: without stopping or giving up, often with more force or pressure (Use when the action is very strong and sometimes aggressive)
- •Diligently: with careful and serious effort (Use when focusing on careful work rather than just continuing)
Unboxing
- •Prefix: "per-" meaning "through" or "thoroughly"
- •Root: "sist" from Latin "sistere," meaning "to stand" or "to stop"
- •Suffix: "-ent" (adjective form meaning "doing something") + "-ly" (adverb form meaning "in a way")
- •Origin: From Latin "persistere" meaning "to stand firm, to continue"
- •Historical development: Used since the 1600s to describe continuing firmly despite difficulties
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe determined actions or repeated efforts without stopping
Reflect & Connect
•How do you think being persistently patient can help in learning a new language?
•Can persistently trying sometimes be a problem? When might it be better to stop or change approach?
Fill in the blanks
1.She persistently ___ for answers even when people ignored her questions.
2.If you want to succeed, you must work persistently ___ problems and difficulties.
3.Unlike quickly giving up, persistently means to keep trying ___.
4.The rain fell persistently ___ the whole afternoon without stopping.
5.He called persistently ___ the customer service until someone helped him.
6.Persistently practicing a skill usually leads to ___ improvement.
7.When someone acts persistently, it shows they have strong ___ to reach their goal.