Please continue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Please continue" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to encourage someone to keep talking or to proceed with their explanation. For example, "I find your argument interesting; please continue." Alternative expressions include "Please go on" and "Please proceed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Please continue.

The New Yorker

Please continue to heckle.

The New Yorker

Please continue as long as you like.

The New York Times

"Please continue praying for Levon and family".

The Guardian - Music

Please continue the comment string at the original blog post.

The New York Times

Please continue to monitor #PabloPH for updates on typhoon.

The New York Times

Please continue to e-mail [email protected] with any questions.

The New York Times

Please continue to update us on this intriguing phenomenon.

The Guardian

Please continue to use your liberty to promote ours".

The Guardian

Please continue to share your experiences in the comments.

The New York Times

Please continue to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Please continue" when you want to politely encourage someone to keep speaking or elaborating on a topic. It is suitable for both formal and informal situations.

Common error

While polite, overuse of "Please continue" can make your writing or conversation sound stilted. Vary your prompts with phrases like "Tell me more", "Go on", or "What else" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Please continue" functions as an imperative, directly instructing or requesting someone to proceed with their speech or action. Ludwig's examples showcase its frequent use in encouraging narrative flow or soliciting further information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Please continue" is a versatile and grammatically sound imperative phrase used to politely encourage someone to proceed with their speech or actions. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its frequent use across diverse contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. While "Please continue" is appropriate for both formal and informal situations, remember to vary your prompts to avoid sounding repetitive. Alternative phrases like "go ahead" or "tell me more" can add variety to your communication. According to Ludwig, the phrase follows standard grammatical rules, is very common, and therefore recommended for use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Go ahead

This is a more informal and direct way of telling someone to proceed.

Carry on

Similar to "please continue" but slightly more encouraging and can imply persistence.

Proceed

More formal and direct, suitable for professional contexts.

Keep going

Emphasizes momentum and encouragement.

Elaborate further

Specifically asks for more detail.

Tell me more

Invites further explanation with a more conversational tone.

Expound on that

Requests a more detailed and thorough explanation, often in a formal setting.

What else?

An informal way to prompt for more information.

Please, do tell

Expresses keen interest and encouragement for someone to continue speaking.

Unfold the story

Figurative language asking to narrate an incident or explain something further.

FAQs

How can I use "Please continue" in a sentence?

"Please continue" is used to politely ask someone to keep talking or proceed with an action. For example, you might say, "I'm interested in your explanation; "Please continue"."

What are some alternatives to "Please continue"?

Alternatives include "go ahead", "carry on", or "proceed" depending on the level of formality required.

Is it ever inappropriate to use "Please continue"?

While generally polite, "Please continue" might sound overly formal in very casual settings. In such cases, consider using more relaxed phrases like "tell me more" or "what else".

What's the difference between "Please continue" and "Please go on"?

"Please continue" and "Please go on" are largely interchangeable, both serving as polite prompts for someone to keep talking. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific context.