Perseverant vs. Persevering — What's the Difference?

Perseverant is an adjective that describes someone who has the quality of perseverance, indicating a steadfast persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. On the other hand, persevering is also an adjective (and can be used as a present participle verb), emphasizing the continuous action of persistence.

When discussing someone's nature or personality, calling them perseverant implies that they naturally possess a strong will to continue, regardless of the hardships. This quality is seen as part of their character, something that remains with them across different situations. Whereas, describing someone as persevering draws attention to their current efforts and actions in the face of adversity, pointing out their active engagement in persisting through challenges at the moment.

In literature and daily speech, "perseverant" is less commonly used than "persevering." The latter not only fits more fluidly into descriptive narratives but also carries a sense of immediacy and relatability to ongoing struggles. While "perseverant" might be employed to attribute a general quality to a character or individual, "persevering" is more versatile, being able to describe actions, efforts, and attitudes in real-time.

The motivational context often differentiates these terms further. For instance, perseverant might be used in a reflective analysis of someone's achievements, highlighting their consistent trait of persistence as key to their success. In contrast, calling someone persevering is motivational, focusing on the encouragement of current efforts and the process of striving toward an objective, reinforcing the value of ongoing hard work.

Despite their nuanced differences, both terms celebrate the spirit of not giving up. Whether discussing a persistent trait (perseverant) or ongoing efforts (persevering), the focus is on the commendable quality of persistence, which is crucial in overcoming obstacles and achieving goals.