be continued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be continued" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression is "to be continued," which is used to indicate that a story or situation will continue in the future. Example: "The episode ended on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers eager for the next installment, which will be continued next week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

To be continued Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

To be continued.

The New York Times

The list can be continued.

The New York Times

This path will be continued.

The New York Times

KP should be continued.

The Guardian

Kyoto should be continued.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

on foreign sugar was continued.

The Economist

The alternative is continued decline.

The New York Times

Treatment was continued until sacrifice.

Plosone

Expression was continued overnight.

Biochemical Journal

Treatment was continued.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating that a narrative or situation will continue, use the correct phrase "to be continued" to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity. It's a well-established idiom, particularly at the end of a segment.

Common error

Avoid using only "be continued" as it's grammatically incorrect. Always include 'to' before 'be' to clearly signal that something will continue at a later point.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be continued" functions as a passive verb construction, suggesting an action will extend or proceed. However, as Ludwig AI points out, the correct usage is "to be continued".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

47%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be continued" appears in various sources, it's important to note that the grammatically correct and widely accepted form is "to be continued". As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase indicates an intention for something to resume or extend in the future. Although "be continued" is found in news, media, and scientific contexts, writers should aim for precision by using the complete idiom, ensuring clarity and adherence to standard English grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be continued

Adding 'to' clarifies the intention to continue, making it grammatically correct.

will be continued

Using 'will' explicitly indicates future continuation in passive voice.

should be continued

Expresses a recommendation or suggestion for continuation.

must be continued

Indicates necessity or requirement for continuation.

is to be continued

Formal way of stating a plan or intention for continuation.

needs to be continued

Highlights the necessity of continuation.

can be continued

Indicates possibility or permission for continuation.

may be continued

Expresses a likelihood or possibility of continuation.

was continued

Past tense indicating that something was already continued.

keep going

More direct and active way of expressing continuation, often used in informal contexts.

FAQs

How should I correctly use "to be continued"?

The phrase "to be continued" is typically used at the end of a section of a story, article, or series to indicate that it will resume in a subsequent installment. For example, "The first chapter ends here; "to be continued" in the next issue."

What does "to be continued" imply?

It implies that the current segment is incomplete and the narrative, discussion, or process will progress further. It sets an expectation for future development or continuation.

Is "to be continued" formal or informal?

"To be continued" is considered relatively neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing, depending on the overall context. It's commonly seen in both casual blog posts and more structured serial publications.

What are some alternatives to "to be continued"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "more to come", "continued in the next part", or simply "will continue".