Persevere and persistant?

[sky753]

Hello Everyone,

Both persevere and persistant have the meaning of continue to do something in a determined way in spite of difficulties. I am wondering whether you can tell me the main and brief differences!

Regards

Sky

[Soup]

To persevere is to continue in a given course in spite of discouragements, etc., from a desire to obtain our end.

To persist is to continue from a determination of will not to give up. Persist is frequently used in a bad sense, implying obstinacy in pursuing an unworthy aim.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

[sky753]

To persevere is to continue in a given course in spite of discouragements, etc., from a desire to obtain our end.

To persist is to continue from a determination of will not to give up. Persist is frequently used in a bad sense, implying obstinacy in pursuing an unworthy aim.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.

Many thanks first! Can you give me one or two daily used examples here?

[Soup]

Max: Pat keeps calling me, but I refuse to answer the phone.
Sam: Pat is being rather persistant, isn't she?

The next day...

Sam: Pat, why do you keep calling Max when you know that he isn't going to answer the phone?
Pat: I want to ask him out on a date. I don't care if he won't answer. He will one day. I will persevere!

[sky753]

Max: Pat keeps calling me, but I refuse to answer the phone.
Sam: Pat is being rather persistant, isn't she?

The next day...

Sam: Pat, why do you keep calling Max when you know that he isn't going to answer the phone?
Pat: I want to ask him out on a date. I don't care if he won't answer. He will one day. I will persevere!

So according to your explanation, in the following sentence, persistent isn't best choice?

The Chinese nation has persistently pursued an independent national spirit and road to development.

[Soup]

There's nothing wrong with this:

The Chinese nation has persistently pursued an independent national spirit and road to development.

My spelling of persistent however is wrong.

[Hitch]

Persevere is a verb, persistent is an adjective; that's the main difference between the two. Persistant is the French counterpart of the adjective persistent. Both imply the will and determination to continue to do something despite opposition, discouragement, obstacles, objection, etc.