To Stick To / With

This is the first of a series of FIFA World Cup-themed posts that I will be writing to celebrate the upcoming tournament in South Africa.

Brazil’s coach, Dunga, has taken plenty of flak for not having selected many star players for the World Cup. If there is one thing Dunga can’t be criticized for, however, is his consistency with his previous decisions. Indeed, he has stuck with basically the same group of players since replacing Carlos Alberto Parreira as coach.

To stick with/to, as used in the example above, means to continue doing something, to not change something, such as a principle, a plan, a promise or a decision.

Stick to and stick with have each their own separate meanings in other contexts.

However, in the context presented here (i.e.: to remain loyal to a principle or a plan) there is almost no significant difference between them. Stick to and stick with convey essentially the same meaning and can be used interchangeably.

This is the conjugation of the verb to stick:
STICK // STUCK // STUCK

Here are more examples:

• Instead of choosing high-profile players like Ronaldinho and Roberto Carlos, Dunga stuck with lesser-known players such as Josué and Ramires.
• Martha's big problem is not to start a diet, but to stick to it.
• There are a lot of new brands available, but I usually stick with my usual brands.
• You need to find a job and stick with it!

Both stick to and stick with are informal in tone. More formal alternatives include to stay with and to adhere to.