I continued to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I continued to be" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this sentence when you want to talk about something that you were doing or feeling over a period of time. For example, "For several weeks, I continued to be anxious about my upcoming test."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

I continued to be enveloped in Mandela's exceptional courtesy.

The Guardian

I continued to be called a human rights defender.

The Guardian

" I continued to be anxious until I gave up and I said: 'Lord, you have won.

The New York Times

"I was so into it that night that I continued to be the King.

The New Yorker

For 35 years I continued to be known as a writer who had not yet matured.

Princeton University

I stopped dialing in and went back to school, where I continued to be a flop.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

And I continue to be.

The New Yorker

"I continue to be optimistic.

Independent

"I continue to be flattered," he said.

The New York Times

"Will I continue to be a cyclist?

The New York Times - Sports

Instinctively, I continue to be drawn to the idea.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I continued to be" when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of a state or action, particularly if there was an expectation or possibility of it changing. For example, "Although the treatment was difficult, I continued to be hopeful."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I continued to be" can sometimes sound verbose in simple sentences. Consider using a simpler alternative like "I remained" or "I was still" for a more concise style. For example, instead of "I continued to be tired", try "I remained tired."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I continued to be" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the continuation of a state or condition. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, reflecting ongoing emotions, actions, or qualities. The phrase often connects a past state with its persistence into the present or future.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I continued to be" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the ongoing nature of a state or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and demonstrates its prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While alternatives like "I remained" offer conciseness, "I continued to be" emphasizes persistence, especially in the face of potential change. When using this phrase, be mindful of potential verbosity in simpler sentences. The phrase serves to convey the continuity of a condition, feeling or action offering stability and lack of change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I remained

This alternative is more concise, focusing solely on the state of remaining without explicitly mentioning a prior action or state.

I carried on being

This alternative uses a phrasal verb to emphasize the ongoing nature of the state or action.

I went on being

Similar to 'carried on being', this option stresses the continuation of a state over time.

I kept on being

This alternative strongly emphasizes the persistence of the state or action, indicating determination.

I persisted in being

This alternative emphasizes a determined continuation, often in the face of difficulty or opposition.

I kept being

This option is a simplified version of "I kept on being", still highlighting persistence.

I was still

This is a simpler way to convey that the state or action was ongoing.

I found myself still

This alternative adds a sense of discovery or realization that the state continued.

I prolonged being

This alternative implies a deliberate effort to extend the state or action.

I maintained the state of being

This is a more formal and explicit way to describe maintaining a particular state.

FAQs

How can I use "I continued to be" in a sentence?

Use "I continued to be" to express that a state or action persisted over time. For example, "Despite the challenges, I continued to be optimistic about the future."

What phrases are similar to "I continued to be"?

Similar phrases include "I remained", "I was still", or "I carried on being". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "I continued to be" or "I remained"?

Both are correct, but "I remained" is often more concise. Use "I continued to be" when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of something despite potential changes or challenges. For example, if you say "I remained hopeful" it shows you always was, instead saying "I continued to be hopeful" shows that at one point maybe you weren't but you persisted to be that way.

Can "I continued to be" be replaced with "I kept being"?

Yes, but "I kept being" emphasizes persistence more strongly. "I kept being" implies a deliberate effort to maintain the state, while "I continued to be" simply indicates that the state persisted.