persevere in + activity
Continue an activity or effort
In is common with studies, attempts, work, or goals.
She persevered in training every day.
Persevere in vs. persevere with
Both persevere in and persevere with are used in English, but they emphasise slightly different ideas.
Quick answer
Choosing in or with
Use persevere in for continued effort within an activity or course of action. Use persevere with for continuing despite difficulty, especially with a task, plan, or object.
She persevered in her studies.
They persevered with the project despite delays.
He persevered in trying to solve the problem.
They persevered with the project despite delays.
He persevered in trying to solve the problem.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
persevere with + task/object
Keep working on something difficult
With often focuses on the thing being handled or continued.
The team persevered with the original design.
persevere despite + difficulty
Emphasise obstacles
Despite can highlight challenges while persevere stands alone.
They persevered despite heavy criticism.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
persevere in
He persevered in his research.
In emphasises continued involvement in an activity or pursuit.
persevere with
She persevered with the software update.
With emphasises continuing to deal with a task or item.
persevere at
He persevered at learning Japanese.
At is also possible with activities, especially skills or practice.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using persevere without context
Persevere often sounds more natural with a phrase showing the activity or difficulty.
✓ She persevered in her efforts.Confusing in and with
In usually refers to an activity, while with often refers to a task or object.
✓ He persevered in his studies and with the difficult coursework.Using persevere for short actions
Persevere suggests sustained effort over time.
✕ I persevered opening the door. ✓ I kept trying to open the door.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She persevered ___ her medical studies.
2. They persevered ___ the repair work for months.
3. Which sentence sounds most natural?
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Frequently asked questions
Are persevere in and persevere with both correct?
Yes. Both are idiomatic, but they focus on slightly different aspects of persistence.
Which is more common with studies or training?
Persevere in is especially natural with studies, training, and long-term efforts.
Can persevere be used without a preposition?
Yes. You can simply say someone persevered, especially when the context is already clear.
Related preposition guides
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