stick with: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
HighNeutral, leaning informal. Common in spoken and conversational written English.
Quick answer
What does “stick with” mean?
To continue with something, to persevere with a choice, plan, or person.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To continue with something, to persevere with a choice, plan, or person.
To remain loyal or committed to something or someone; to continue to use or follow.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is very similar in both varieties. 'Stick to' is more common for literal and some figurative uses (e.g., 'stick to the path'). 'Stick with' in the sense of persevering is equally common.
Connotations
Slight informality in both. It can sound encouraging or advisory.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both BrE and AmE.
Grammar
How to Use “stick with” in a Sentence
[NP] + stick with + [NP][Imperative] stick with + [NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “stick with” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- If you stick with your training, you'll run the marathon.
- Let's stick with the route we know.
- He's stuck with his old car for years.
- Stick with me, this path is tricky.
American English
- Just stick with it and you'll finish the project.
- We're sticking with our original plan.
- I stuck with my college roommate as my business partner.
- Stick with me, I know a shortcut.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Advice to continue a strategy. 'We should stick with our current supplier for now.'
Academic
Less common; 'persist with' might be preferred. 'The researcher decided to stick with the original methodology.'
Everyday
Very common for advice and perseverance. 'Just stick with your revision and you'll pass.'
Technical
Rare; specific technical verbs are preferred.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stick with”
- *I stick with the rules. (Should be: I stick to the rules.)
- *He stuck with study English. (Should be: He stuck with studying English. / He stuck with his English studies.)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Stick to' is often used for rules, plans, diets, or literal paths ('stick to the path'). 'Stick with' is often used for continuing with a person, a choice, or a course of action, especially when perseverance is needed.
It is neutral but leans informal. It's perfect for conversation, emails, and general writing. In very formal academic or legal writing, synonyms like 'persevere with', 'adhere to', or 'maintain' might be preferred.
Yes, in the phrase 'be stuck with', it means to be forced to accept an unwanted situation ('I'm stuck with this terrible flatmate until June'). The active 'stick with' is usually positive or neutral.
It is a phrasal verb (verb + preposition). The word 'stick' is the main verb, and 'with' is a prepositional particle. The object follows 'with'.
To continue with something, to persevere with a choice, plan, or person.
Stick with: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɪk wɪð/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɪk wɪθ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Stick with it!”
- “Stick with me and you'll be fine.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a piece of sticky tape STICKING WITH a surface – it remains attached, it doesn't give up and fall off.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTINUING IS STICKING (like glue); LOYALTY IS ADHERENCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'stick with' used INCORRECTLY?