can you continue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can you continue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to keep going with their explanation, story, or task. Example: "I found your presentation very interesting. Can you continue with the next section?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

How can you continue to contribute?

The Guardian

Can you continue to watch the Cosby Show?

The Guardian

The question is, how can you continue this level of engagement with your customers?

The New York Times

Then came another request: "Can you continue to pitch in smaller amounts?

The New Yorker

Can you continue making contributions to your company or private pension scheme while abroad?

The Guardian - Money

Mr. Vice President, can you continue in your current job with this procedure?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

It's important to remain as calm and levelheaded as you can, so you can continue listening to your child.

WikiHow

Do that, but before you can continue you'll need to format your disk.

WikiHow

Before you can continue, you need to know what goes where in your design.

WikiHow

Or you can continue on: Or you can continue on: Or you can continue on: Grab the crossed strings and pull them out to separate the two center straight strings so they do not cross.

WikiHow

If you wish, you can continue to do this for all of your raw wood.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can you continue" in a formal setting, consider adding a polite word such as "please" to soften the request.

Common error

Avoid using "can you continue" without specifying what the person should continue doing. Always provide the necessary context for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can you continue" primarily functions as an interrogative expression used to solicit the continuation of an action, narrative, or explanation. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples found in news media, academic papers, and online guides confirm its interrogative function.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

23%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can you continue" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to ask someone to keep going with something. Ludwig's analysis and examples show it's commonly found in news, academic, and wiki contexts. While generally neutral, consider adding "please" for politeness in formal settings. Remember to provide context to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "could you proceed" or "could you go on" can offer a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could you proceed

Politely requests the continuation of an action or explanation.

could you keep going

Directly asks for the continuation of a physical or metaphorical journey.

would you carry on

Asks for the continuation of an activity or task.

shall we proceed

Suggests a mutual continuation of a journey or discussion.

should you go on

Inquires about the advisability of continuing, often implying doubt.

can you go ahead

Seeks permission for someone to advance or continue.

would you like to add

Invites additional commentary or continuation of thought.

may I continue

Formally asks for permission to proceed.

can you elaborate

Requests further detail, which continues the explanation.

do you want to add more

Informally asks for further input or continuation.

FAQs

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

You can use "can you continue" to politely ask someone to keep going with an action or explanation. For example, "I'm enjoying your story; can you continue?"

What can I say instead of "can you continue"?

You can use alternatives like "could you proceed", "could you go on", or "please elaborate" depending on the context.

Is "can you continue" formal or informal?

"Can you continue" is generally considered neutral but leaning towards informal. For a more formal setting, "could you proceed" or "would you carry on" might be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "can you continue"?

It's appropriate when you want someone to resume what they were doing, whether it's telling a story, explaining a process, or performing a task.