stick with
2 meanings
keep doing something and not change to something else
What does "stick with" mean in this sense?
Examples
- I've thought about it, and I'm going to stick with my original answer.
- She stuck with the same training programme for six months and saw great results.
- Should we try something new, or just stick with what's been working?
How to use it
The most common pattern — the object is always a thing (plan, option, approach, routine) that the subject has already chosen and is choosing not to change.
After reading all the reviews, I decided to stick with my current phone.
Pronouns always come after 'with' — they cannot be placed between 'stick' and 'with'.
The new software looks complicated, so let's just stick with it for now.
First-person decisions using 'will' are especially natural, often said in the moment of choosing.
I've looked at the alternatives, but I'll stick with the original design.
Modal verbs are common when giving advice or weighing options — the advisory use is very natural.
If the current approach is working, you should probably stick with it.
A what-clause can replace a noun object, especially in the common expression 'stick with what you know'.
When you're under pressure, it's often best to stick with what works.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
For strict adherence to rules, limits, or commitments, 'stick to' is strongly preferred. 'Stick with' focuses on not switching between options, not on disciplined compliance.
'Stick with' is inseparable — the object must always come after 'with', even when using a pronoun.
This sense of 'stick with' is specifically for continuing with things — plans, choices, methods. When the object is a person you are supporting or staying loyal to, that is a different sense of the phrasal verb.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both spoken and written English. It is slightly more informal than 'continue with' or 'maintain', but is perfectly acceptable in professional conversations and emails.
stay close to or loyal to someone
Sense 2: What does "stick with sb" mean?
Examples
- Stick with me and I'll make sure you get through this safely.
- She stuck with him through all the difficult years, even when others gave up.
- If you stick with your team, they'll respect you for it in the end.
How to use it
The most common pattern — always followed directly by the person or group you are staying loyal to, with no object between 'stick' and 'with'.
Her teammates stuck with her even after a string of poor performances.
Pronoun objects are especially common, particularly in the imperative, where the phrase is used to reassure or encourage someone.
Stick with us and we'll get through this together.
The imperative form is very natural and widely used to ask someone not to give up on you, or to encourage them to stay close.
Stick with me — I know it's hard right now, but it'll be worth it.
Adding 'through' plus a noun phrase highlights the specific difficulty or period during which the loyalty is shown.
His closest friends stuck with him through the toughest period of his career.
Often follows verbs that express commitment or intention, emphasising that the loyalty is a conscious decision.
She promised to stick with her mentor no matter what obstacles came up.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
Unlike some phrasal verbs, 'stick with' cannot be separated. The object must always come after 'with', never between 'stick' and 'with'.
'Stick with someone' expresses willing loyalty, while 'be stuck with someone' means being forced to spend time with someone you did not choose — the meaning is almost the opposite in terms of feeling.
When the object is a person or group, 'stick with' means staying loyal. When the object is a thing (a plan, a method), it shifts to a different sense meaning 'not change from'. Make sure your object is a person when you want to express loyalty.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral to informal and is especially common in spoken English. It is frequently used in the imperative ('Stick with me!') to reassure or motivate someone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can 'stick with' be used in the passive?
No — 'stick with' (in this sense) is not used in the passive. The subject is always the person making the active decision to continue with something. You would say 'We stuck with the original plan', not 'The original plan was stuck with'.
Does 'stick with' always mean continuing with something? Can it mean something else?
The form 'stick with' does have more than one meaning. This entry covers continuing with a choice or approach ('stick with the same supplier'). There is also a closely related sense meaning to stay loyal to or supportive of a person ('she stuck with him through a difficult period'). Context usually makes it clear which sense is meant — check what the object is.
What's the difference between 'stick with' and 'go with'?
'Go with' emphasises the act of making a choice — often a fresh one. 'Stick with' emphasises maintaining a choice you have already made, particularly when you are resisting the temptation to switch. For example, 'I'll go with the blue option' suggests you are deciding now, while 'I'll stick with the blue option' suggests you had already chosen it and are confirming you won't change.
Is 'stick with what you know' a fixed expression?
It functions like one — it is a very common, natural phrase in English and you will hear it often in advice-giving contexts. Learners can use it confidently as a whole chunk. It means that when in doubt, it is safer to continue with familiar approaches rather than trying something new.
Can I use 'stick with' to talk about habits or routines?
Yes, it works very naturally with routines, diets, programmes, and habits — anything you have committed to and are continuing to follow. For example: 'She stuck with her morning exercise routine even during a busy period.' The idea is that you are resisting the temptation to drop or change it.
Can 'stick with' be used in the passive, like 'he was stuck with by his friends'?
No — this phrasal verb does not work in the passive in this sense, and that construction sounds very unnatural in English. If you want to describe the same idea from the other person's perspective, you would rephrase: 'His friends stuck with him' rather than trying to make it passive.
Can I say 'I am sticking with her' in the present continuous?
It is grammatically possible, but it sounds a little awkward and is much less common than the simple present. Native speakers are more likely to say 'I stick with her' or use a past or future form. The simple present works well to express ongoing loyalty.
Does 'stick with' always involve people, or can it refer to groups too?
In this loyalty sense, the object is always a person or a group of people — for example, 'stick with your team', 'stick with the group', or 'stick with your friends'. If the object is a thing rather than a person, the phrase shifts to a different meaning altogether.
Is 'stick with' informal? Can I use it in a work email?
It sits in a neutral-to-informal range, so it works well in most everyday contexts, including professional conversations. However, in a formal written document or a business email to someone you do not know well, you might prefer a phrase like 'remain loyal to' or 'continue to support'. In spoken work situations it is perfectly natural.
What is the difference between 'stick with someone' and 'stay with someone'?
'Stay with someone' is more neutral and can simply mean remaining in someone's physical presence or home. 'Stick with someone' puts the emphasis on loyalty, commitment, and choosing not to abandon someone — especially when there is pressure or difficulty involved. 'Stick with' carries more emotional weight.
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