stand
A1Neutral (used across all registers from casual to formal)
Definition
Meaning
To be in an upright position on one's feet; to be situated in a particular place; to tolerate or endure something.
To remain valid or unchanged; to take a particular position or viewpoint; to be a candidate in an election; to pay for something as a treat.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
It denotes both the physical act of being upright and the abstract acts of enduring, tolerating, or representing. Its noun form often refers to a physical structure (e.g., a market stall) or a moral position.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor differences in phrasing for 'paying for something' (more common in UK: 'I'll stand you a drink' vs. US: 'I'll buy you a drink'). 'Stand for election' is equally common; 'run for election' is predominantly American.
Connotations
In British English, 'can't stand' for intense dislike is very common. 'Make a stand' (to defend a principle) is used in both.
Frequency
The verb 'stand' is extremely high-frequency in both dialects. The noun 'stand' (e.g., taxi stand, newsstand) is also common.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
S-V (intransitive)S-V-O (transitive: stand the heat)S-V-PP (stand on the corner)S-V-ADJ (stand ready)S-V-ADV (stand aside)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “stand one's ground”
- “stand on ceremony”
- “stand to reason”
- “stand someone up”
- “stand in someone's way”
- “as things stand”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"The company's profits stand at £2 million."
Academic
"The theory has stood for decades without serious challenge."
Everyday
"Can you stand the noise?"
Technical
"The data stands as submitted." (legal/formal)
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please stand for the national anthem.
- The old oak tree has stood in the field for centuries.
- I can't stand the sound of nails on a chalkboard.
- He offered to stand me a pint.
American English
- Please rise for the national anthem.
- The monument has stood downtown for a hundred years.
- I can't stand people who are always late.
- He's going to run for city council.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverbial use of 'stand')
American English
- N/A (No standard adverbial use of 'stand')
adjective
British English
- We had standing-room only tickets for the concert.
- It's a standing joke in the office.
American English
- We had standing-room only tickets for the game.
- He has a standing invitation to visit.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Stand up, please.
- The bus stop stands opposite the school.
- I can't stand loud music.
- He stood for parliament in the last election.
- The decision still stands.
- She made a stand against bullying.
- The evidence would not stand up in court.
- How do you stand on the issue of immigration?
- This building has stood the test of time.
- The agreement stands as a testament to their diplomacy.
- He could barely stand the incessant media scrutiny.
- Her reputation stands undiminished by the controversy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a soldier STANDing at attention – upright, firm, and enduring.
Conceptual Metaphor
ENDURANCE IS STANDING (e.g., 'stand the pressure'); VALIDITY/EXISTENCE IS STANDING (e.g., 'the law still stands'); MORAL POSITION IS STANDING (e.g., 'take a stand').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'стоять' только как физическое действие. 'I stand corrected' = 'Я признаю свою ошибку', а не 'Я стою исправленный'. 'I can't stand it' = 'Я этого не переношу', а не 'Я не могу стоять'. 'It stands to reason' = 'Логично предположить'.
- Avoid overusing 'stand' for 'be located' (like 'The house stands...') as it can sound literary; 'is located' or 'is situated' is more neutral.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *'I was stood there for an hour.' (Non-standard UK dialect; standard: 'I was standing there...' or 'I stood there...')
- Incorrect: *'I stand from the chair.' (Correct: 'I stand up from the chair' or 'I get up from the chair.')
- Confusing 'stand' with 'understand' in phrasal verbs (e.g., 'I don't stand why...' instead of 'I don't understand why...').
Practice
Quiz
In British English, what does 'I'll stand you a meal' most likely mean?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Stand' is the general state of being upright. 'Stand up' is the *action* of moving from a sitting/lying position to a standing one. You 'stand' during a ceremony, but you 'stand up' from your chair.
In Standard English, it is not correct. 'I was standing there' (past continuous) or 'I stood there' (simple past) are the standard forms. 'I was stood there' is a feature of some British dialects but is considered non-standard.
No, not in modern standard English. This is a common confusion for learners from the phrasal verb 'understand'. They are separate words.
It is a fixed phrase meaning 'it is logical or obvious to conclude'. Example: 'If the train is late, it stands to reason that we will miss our connection.'
Collections
Part of a collection
Daily Verbs
A1 · 50 words · Essential action words used in everyday conversation.