stick to

keep doing or using something and not change to something different

B2

What does "stick to sth" mean?

To stick to something means to continue with a plan, decision, rule, or routine and not change or abandon it, even when it becomes difficult or tempting to do otherwise. The phrase carries a strong sense of personal discipline — it suggests that staying on course requires some conscious effort or resolve. You might hear it in advice ('stick to the budget'), instructions ('stick to the guidelines'), or self-motivation ('I need to stick to my routine'). It's used equally in spoken and written English, and works across most situations from casual conversation to workplace communication. The object is always an abstract framework like a plan, a diet, a schedule, or a set of rules — not a physical surface.

Examples

How to use it

stick to + noun (plan / rules / budget / routine)

The most common pattern — 'stick to' is followed directly by a noun phrase referring to a plan, rule, or guiding framework.

The team agreed to stick to the original plan, even though some members wanted to make changes.

stick to + pronoun (it / them / that)

Pronoun objects are very natural, especially 'stick to it', which is commonly used as an encouraging phrase meaning to persevere.

The diet is hard at first, but if you stick to it, you'll start to see results within a few weeks.

modal + stick to + noun

Modal verbs like 'should', 'need to', 'have to', and 'must' are extremely common with this phrasal verb, especially in advice-giving contexts.

If we're going to finish this project on time, we really have to stick to the schedule.

imperative: stick to + noun

The imperative form is frequently used in instructions or direct advice when telling someone not to deviate from a plan or set of rules.

Stick to the facts when you write your report — don't include any personal opinions.

stick to + what-clause

A what-clause can follow 'stick to' when referring to a less defined framework, such as what someone knows or what was agreed.

In an interview, it's usually safest to stick to what you know rather than guessing.

Common Collocations

stick to the planstick to a budgetstick to the rulesstick to a dietstick to the pointstick to the script

Common Mistakes

Using 'stick with' in formal or written contexts

'Stick with' is largely interchangeable in casual speech, especially in American English, but 'stick to' is the more standard choice in written English and advice-giving contexts. In semi-formal or professional writing, 'stick to' sounds more precise and is more widely accepted.

✗ The report says we should stick with the original guidelines.
✓ The report says we should stick to the original guidelines.
Wrong preposition: 'stick on' instead of 'stick to'

Some learners write 'stick on the plan' or 'stick on the rules', possibly influenced by other uses of 'stick'. In this sense, the correct preposition is always 'to'.

✗ We need to stick on the budget if we want to save money.
✓ We need to stick to the budget if we want to save money.
Using 'stick to' without an object

'Stick to' in this sense always requires an object — the thing you are committing to. Unlike some phrasal verbs, it cannot be used intransitively (without an object) in this meaning.

✗ It's hard, but you just have to stick to.
✓ It's hard, but you just have to stick to it.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both spoken and written English. It is especially common in advice, instructions, and motivational contexts, and is used equally in British and American English, though 'stick with' is slightly more frequent in American informal speech.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can 'stick to' be used in the present continuous, like 'I am sticking to the plan'?

It's grammatically possible but can sound a little forced. The present simple or a modal construction ('I stick to the plan' / 'I'm going to stick to the plan') usually sounds more natural. The present continuous works best if you want to emphasise active effort at a specific moment, such as 'I'm sticking to the plan no matter what they say.'

Does 'stick to' always mean the same thing, or does it have other meanings?

The same form 'stick to' does have another common meaning — the physical sense, where something adheres to a surface (for example, 'The label stuck to the glass'). The key difference is the subject: when talking about commitment and discipline, the subject is always a person or group, and the object is something abstract like a plan or a rule.

What kinds of things can follow 'stick to'?

The most common objects are things that act as guiding frameworks: a plan, a budget, a diet, a routine, the rules, the script, the facts, the point, a schedule, or a decision. Essentially, anything that defines a course of action or a set of limits can follow 'stick to' in this sense.

What does 'stick to your guns' mean — is it related to this sense?

Yes, 'stick to your guns' is a fixed idiom that extends this same meaning. It means to maintain your position or opinion firmly, even when other people are pressuring you to change your mind. It's a more vivid, idiomatic way of expressing the same core idea of not giving in or deviating.

Is 'keep to' the same as 'stick to'?

'Keep to' is very close in meaning and can often be used in the same way — for example, 'keep to the rules' means roughly the same as 'stick to the rules'. However, 'keep to' tends to appear more in formal written contexts such as official guidelines, while 'stick to' is more conversational and suggests personal resolve or determination.

Related Phrasal Verbs

stick with sth

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