Stick with / to your original plan

Question

Hi teachers,I heard that "stick with your original plan" is an informal speech and should not be written in a semi-formal email.  &gt;Would "stay with" a good subsitute?  Could you show me other alternative usages?  Thanks&gt;"We decided to stick to our present supplier"  Does "stick with" could be used here?Thank you.Tinanam

Mr Wordy · Accepted Answer

With "original plan", I'd most naturally use "stick to" (though "stick with" and "stay with" are perfectly possible). "stick" in this sense is not super-formal either with "to" or "with", but "stick with" does seem slightly more informal to me than "stick to". In very formal contexts I might, if I thought "stick" sounded too chatty, use "adhere to" or "continue with".

With "present supplier", I'd more naturally use "stay with" (suitable for both informal and formal use), but "stick with/to" is perfectly possible.

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Dear Mr. Wordy,

Thank you for the examples. I see "adhere to", "continue with" all the time, but I cannot immediately relate them to my questions above.

> Does "stick to" have the "loyal to" meaning and "stick with" doesn't?

>Could this sentence correct in meaning with both stick with / to "? (I found them in a dictionary on line)

Stick with me, we'll do lots of interesting things.

Stick to me, and I'll lead you out of her.

Stick to the group of us, and you'll be okay.

Would you stick to the point, please?

Thank you.

Tinanam

Mr Wordy · Answer

tinanam0102Thank you for the examples. I see "adhere to", "continue with" all the time, but I cannot immediately relate them to my questions above.

When applied to a plan, "stick to/with", "adhere to" and "continue with" mean the same thing, as near as. "adhere to" is less conversational.

tinanam0102Does "stick to" have the "loyal to" meaning and "stick with" doesn't?

No, not to me.

tinanam0102Could this sentence correct in meaning with both stick with / to "? (I found them in a dictionary on line)

"Stick with me, we'll do lots of interesting things." -- OK

"Stick to me, and I'll lead you out of here." -- OK. "Stick to me" suggests literal physical closeness, which seems appropriate here.

"Stick to the group of us, and you'll be okay." -- OK, but I would personally tend to use "stick with" here. This is because physical closeness is less intimate with a group than with an individual.

"Would you stick to the point, please?" -- OK. Here I would not use "stick with" (though it's not impossible).

Tinanam0102 · Answer

Dear Mr. Wordy,

Good morning. Thank you very much.

Regards,

Tinanam

Stick with / to your original plan

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