stay friends

Meaning

This phrase means to maintain a friendly relationship with someone after a major change in circumstances, such as a romantic breakup, a big argument, or moving to a different city. It emphasizes keeping the bond alive despite potential difficulties.

Examples

• Even though they broke up, they managed to stay friends.

  Even though they broke up, they managed to stay friends.

• We don't see each other often, but we still stay friends.

  We don't see each other often, but we still stay friends.

• It can be really difficult to stay friends with an ex-partner.

  It can be really difficult to stay friends with an ex-partner.

• I hope we can stay friends even after you move to New York.

  I hope we can stay friends even after you move to New York.

• They had a huge fight last year, but they worked through it and stayed friends.

  They had a huge fight last year, but they worked through it and stayed friends.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We want to keep friends after the breakup.

  ✓ We want to stay friends after the breakup.

  While 'keep in touch' is common, the standard collocation for maintaining a friendship is 'stay friends' or 'remain friends'.

• ✗ I still stay friend with Sarah.

  ✓ I still stay friends with Sarah.

  'Friends' must be plural in this expression because a friendship requires at least two people.

Related Expressions

Practice

• They promised to ___ even after graduating from high school.

  💡 To keep being friends.

  Show answer

  stay friends

• It's not always easy to ___ with someone who lied to you.

  💡 Maintain a friendly relationship.

  Show answer

  stay friends