stay by

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle by

Meanings

1

Continue to support or remain near someone

Beside

Why “by”? Something stays near another thing.

“He stayed by her side.”
He remained close beside her in support.
“A nurse stayed by the bed all night.”
A nurse remained near the bed all night to help.

Don't confuse with

stay bystay behind

Stay by means continue to support or remain near someone. Stay behind means remain in a place after others have left.

Test yourself

“He stayed by her side.” What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.

stay behind

A contrast learners often mix up

Remain in a place after others have left; Remain at school after class as a punishment

come by

Same by pattern: beside

Pay a brief visit to someone

drop by

Same by pattern: beside

Make a brief, casual visit; Make an unplanned brief visit

sit by

Same by pattern: beside

Take a seat close beside someone

stand by

Same by pattern: beside

Wait nearby, ready to act if needed; Stay loyal to what you said or promised; Wait, ready to act when needed; Watch without intervening

stop by

Same by pattern: beside

Make a brief, often unplanned visit

swing by

Same by pattern: beside

Drop in briefly while passing through; Visit briefly while travelling between places

stay ahead

Same base verb: stay

Remain in a leading position

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