Incorrect spelling, explanation: a common mistake in the spelling of stays is adding the -es ending instead of only an -s. It is true that when a verb ends in a -y letter, which is preceded by a consonant, the -y letter is then changed into -i and then -es is added, as it happens, for example, in the case of marry, which becomes marries. In stays, however, the -y letter appears after a vowel so only -s is added. Therefore, the only correct form is stays.

Correct spelling, explanation: stays is a word with a long history and it has changed a lot over the centuries. It originates from the Latin word stare, which used to mean to stand. Later, in Old French, it had the forms ester and estaye and finally, in Middle English, stays entered the language in the form we use today. Stays is the third singular form of the base form of the verb, which is stay.

Definition of stays:
1. verb – not to move or leave,
After her husband’s death, she mostly stays at home, which is really worrying.
2. verb – to continue,
Our local shop stays open every day, even on Sundays.
3. verb – to be at a place for some time as a visitor,
Every time he goes on holiday, he stays in a five-star hotel.

Phrasal verbs with stays:
A few commonly used phrasal verbs with stays include:
1. stays in – to stay at home,
Instead of going out with friends, she stays in almost every weekend.
2. stays out – to come back home late or not to come back home at night,
I have no idea what to do with that cat – it stays out all night and then wakes me up really early in the morning.
3. stays over – to sleep at someone’s house for one night,
Every time Jane is in Barcelona, she stays over at my place.