Conjugation of "Stay" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
To continue in a place or state; to remain.
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All 12 Tenses of "Stay"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "stay" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I stay |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I stayed |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will stay |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am staying |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was staying |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be staying |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have stayed |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had stayed |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have stayed |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been staying |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been staying |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been staying |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Stay" — Stayed
The past simple of "stay" is "stayed" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.
- They stayed in Paris for two weeks. A2
Past Participle of "Stay" — Stayed
The past participle of "stay" is "stayed" — the same form as the past simple, since "stay" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have stayed") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was stayed").
- They stayed in Paris for two weeks. A2
Is "Stay" Regular or Irregular?
"Stay" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "stayed". The 3rd-person singular present is "stays" and the gerund/present participle is "staying".
Conjugation pattern: regular (add -ed)
How to Pronounce "Stay" and Its Forms
Stay: /steɪ/ — Stress pattern: O
The 's' is pronounced like 'st', not separate sounds. Keep it smooth.
Common mispronunciation of "stay"
Not /steɪ̯/ or /stjuːl/
How to Use "Stay" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use 'stay' in daily context to talk about stay.
Example Sentences with "Stay" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: The decision will stay in effect until next year. B1
- Simple Past: They stayed in Paris for two weeks. A2
- Simple Future: I will stay at home tonight. A1
Common Collocations with "Stay"
- stay home — I prefer to stay home on rainy days.
- stay in touch — Let's stay in touch after graduation.
- stay awake — He stayed awake all night studying.
- stay calm — Try to stay calm in difficult situations.
- stay healthy — Exercise helps you stay healthy.
When to Use "Stay" vs Similar Verbs
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- remain — more formal for continuing in position
- linger — staying longer than expected
- persist — staying and continuing over time
Common Mistakes with "Stay"
-
Wrong: They are staying calm right now.
Correct: They are staying calm right now. / They stay calm.
Continuous is acceptable here to emphasize an ongoing state, but simple present is natural for their typical behavior. -
Wrong: She staying home this weekend.
Correct: She is staying home this weekend. / She stays home on weekends.
Use continuous for a specific planned occasion or simple present for habit. -
Wrong: He stay here tomorrow.
Correct: He will stay here tomorrow. / He is staying here tomorrow.
Use future tense or future continuous for future plans.
Conjugation Tables for "Stay"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not stay · He does not stay
- Simple past: I did not stay · She did not stay
- Present perfect: I have not stayed · He has not stayed
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you stay? · Does he stay?
- Simple past: Did you stay?
- Present perfect: Have you stayed?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is stayed
- Simple past passive: It was stayed
- Present perfect passive: It has been stayed
Frequently Asked Questions About "Stay"
- Is "stay" regular or irregular?
- "stay" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "stayed".
- What is the past tense of "stay"?
- The simple past of "stay" is "stayed".
- When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "stay"?
- Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I stay every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am staying right now."
- What's a common mistake with "stay"?
- Continuous is acceptable here to emphasize an ongoing state, but simple present is natural for their typical behavior. Wrong: "They are staying calm right now." Correct: "They are staying calm right now. / They stay calm."