Persistent: continuing despite difficulty

The idea

Place persistent before a noun or after a linking verb; use persistent in before an activity ending in -ing.

Examples

• Maya was persistent and finally found a publisher for her novel.
• A persistent cough kept Luis awake at night.
• Despite several rejections, the team made a persistent effort to improve the design.
• Persistent rain flooded the path beside the river.
• The child was persistent in asking for another story.
• We need a long-term solution to the persistent shortage of clean water.

Watch out

Do not assume persistent always praises a person: repeated demands or lasting problems can be unwelcome.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the best answer. After three failed attempts, she kept trying. She was ___. (persistent / careless)

   Show answer or example answer

   persistent

   Persistent fits because she continued despite failed attempts.

2. Choose the best answer. The noise continued for weeks. It was ___. (persistent / brief)

   Show answer or example answer

   persistent

   Persistent fits because the noise lasted for weeks, rather than a short time.

3. Choose the best answer. He was persistent ___ seeking an answer. (in / at)

   Show answer or example answer

   in

   In connects persistent to the activity seeking an answer.

Use it today

Describe a persistent problem or a time when you kept trying.