To be continued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To be continued" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used at the end of a story, episode, or article to indicate that there will be more to come in the future. Example: "The thrilling adventure ended with a cliffhanger, leaving readers eager for the next installment: To be continued."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

To be continued Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

To be continued.

The New York Times

To be continued ..

Harvard University

To be continued in Monday's column.

The New York Times

To be continued on January 1 , 2014..

The Guardian

To be continued, sadly.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

That trend seems to be continuing.

The New York Times

The tradition seems to be continuing.

The New York Times

Negotiations appear to be continuing.

The New York Times

The trend appears to be continuing.

The New York Times

Certainly, negotiations appear to be continuing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "To be continued" at the end of a section or episode to build anticipation and signal that the narrative will continue in a subsequent installment.

Common error

Avoid using "To be continued" excessively, as it can become predictable and lose its impact. Reserve it for moments where a genuine cliffhanger or significant plot point warrants the anticipation of a continuation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "To be continued" functions as an interjectory expression, signalling the incompleteness of a narrative or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its conventional usage to indicate that further developments are forthcoming.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

28%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "To be continued" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that indicates an ongoing narrative or discussion, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to signal incompleteness and build anticipation for future installments. The phrase is versatile, fitting in both formal and informal contexts, particularly within news, media, scientific, and academic domains. When employing this phrase, avoid overuse to maintain its impact and effectively engage your audience by leaving them eager for what's next.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To be resumed

Indicates a temporary pause with the expectation of continuing later.

To be followed

Suggests a sequential continuation, often in a formal context.

More to come

A simple and direct way to indicate further developments are expected.

The story continues

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of a narrative.

Further installments to follow

A more formal way to announce future parts of a series.

Stay tuned for more

Invites the audience to remain attentive for upcoming developments.

The saga unfolds

Implies a grand and complex story that will continue to be revealed.

The next chapter

Indicates the beginning of a new phase in a larger story.

To be developed further

Suggests that an idea or concept will receive additional attention and elaboration.

Unresolved

Suggests that a situation or plot line hasn't reached conclusion yet.

FAQs

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

"To be continued" is typically used at the end of a narrative segment, such as a chapter or episode, to indicate that the story will resume later. For example: "The hero stood on the precipice, unaware of the danger that awaited him. To be continued."

What are some alternatives to "To be continued"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to be resumed", "more to come", or "stay tuned for more".

Is it grammatically correct to say "To be continued"?

Yes, "To be continued" is a grammatically correct phrase, although it's often used as a standalone statement rather than as part of a complete sentence. It is an accepted idiom to indicate continuation.

When is it appropriate to use "To be continued" in writing?

Use "To be continued" when you want to signal that a story, discussion, or series of events is not yet finished and will be picked up again in a later installment. It's best suited for serial publications or episodic content.