Definition

1. Verb:
   • To continue in a place, position, or situation: To remain in a specific location, job, role, or state beyond an expected or usual point of departure or conclusion.

Usage

• The verb "stay on" is used to indicate a deliberate choice to remain when departure was possible or expected. It often implies a continuation of a current condition or role.
• It is typically followed by a prepositional phrase (e.g., , , ) or used intransitively when the context is clear.
• It is a phrasal verb where "on" functions as a particle, not a preposition indicating physical location on a surface.

Examples

• Verb:
  • After his contract ended, he agreed to stay on for another six months.
  • Many seasonal workers stay on in the resort town during the winter.
  • She was asked to stay on as chairperson of the committee.

Advanced Usage

• "to stay on at": A common construction to specify the place of continuation, often a workplace or institution.
  • He decided to stay on at the university to complete his research.
• "to stay on in": Used to specify continuing in a particular role, position, or general location.
  • She stayed on in an advisory capacity after retiring.

Variants and Related Words

• Stay (verb): To remain in a place. "Stay on" adds the nuance of continuing beyond an expected endpoint.
• Remain (verb): A more formal synonym for "stay" or "stay on."
• Continue (verb): To persist in an activity or state. Can be used similarly in some contexts (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• Remain: To continue to be in the same place or state.
• Persist: To continue firmly in a course of action.
• Linger: To stay in a place longer than necessary, often reluctantly. (Note: "linger" can have a different connotation than the deliberate choice in "stay on.")

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Stay behind: To remain after others have left.
  • A few students stayed behind to ask questions.
• Stay over: To spend the night at a place that is not one's home.
  • You can stay over at my apartment if the trains have stopped.

Related Idioms

• Stay the course: To continue with a process or effort, even though it is difficult.
  • Despite the challenges, we are determined to stay the course.
• Stay put: To remain in one fixed place and not move.
  • The doctor told him to stay put and rest.

Verb

1. continue in a place, position, or situation
   • After graduation, she stayed on in Cambridge as a student adviser
   • Stay with me, please
   • despite student protests, he remained Dean for another year
   • She continued as deputy mayor for another year