Meaning trap
stick to
maintain subject
To continue talking or writing about only one particular subject, rather than moving to other topics.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To continue talking or writing about only one particular subject, rather than moving to other topics.
'stick to' also has the more basic meaning 'continue with a plan'; this is the advanced sense.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- During the debate, the moderator asked everyone to stick to the issue at hand.discourse
- In academic writing, it is important to stick to the main argument and avoid unnecessary digressions.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: stick to + topic/subject/point
WrongLet's stick on the topic.
RightLet's stick to the topic.
'Stick TO' the topic — not 'on'.
Patternstick to + topic/subject/point
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
'Stick to the subject/point' is the natural way to ask someone not to wander.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
stick to + topicthe subjectthe pointthe factswhat matters
Don't confuse it
Unlike the B1 sense ('continue with a plan') and the B2 sense ('follow a rule'), this sense is about maintaining focus on a specific subject in speech or writing, not about actions or rules.
Related
- stick to (continue with a plan) — 'stick to' also has the more basic meaning 'continue with a plan'; this is the advanced sense.