continue

USAGE SUMMARY

"continue" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb and means "to go on with an action or process". Example sentence: I decided to continue my studies even after I received my degree.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a speech setting out the government package to deter so-called benefit tourism, Cameron will say EU migrants can only continue to claim jobseekers allowance if they have been continuously actively seeking work and have a realistic imminent prospect of finding a job.

The Guardian

"This will ensure that persons with facial coverings can continue to enter the Chamber galleries, without needing to be identifiable".

The Guardian

I will continue to exercise my functions as Fifa president until that election".

The Guardian - Sport

It was difficult to continue with competing but I tried to carry on".

The Guardian

As a part of America's higher education system, college basketball plays and important role in diversity, equality, fairness and inclusion, and will continue to do so in the future".

The Guardian - Sport

"The Commission needs to make sure that consumers continue to have access to a wide variety of music in different physical and digital formats at competitive conditions".

The New York Times

But he added: "Sometimes parts of the Conservative party move but they move more slowly, or a few paces behind the centre of gravity of social attitudes which have changed and will probably continue to change in ways that it is hard to predict.

The Guardian

The unanswered questions, and of course there are a few, we will continue to discuss".

The Guardian

And, given that very unique responsibility that he has, it's simply impossible for him to continue in that role when such very major question marks are being raised about his financial affairs".

The Guardian

Meanwhile, here in the west, unchallenged by international courts, Norway, Iceland and Greenland continue whaling.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before he died he told Kimberly and other family members "that he wanted us to continue the fight to clear his name and end the death penalty", she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "continue" to indicate the uninterrupted progression of an action or state. For instance, "The project will continue despite the challenges" clearly conveys that the project will proceed regardless of obstacles.

Common error

Ensure that the context clearly indicates what action or state is being continued. Ambiguity can arise if the object of "continue" is not explicitly stated or easily inferred from the surrounding text.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "continue" is as a verb, indicating the act of proceeding with an action or state without interruption. Examples from Ludwig show it used to describe ongoing processes in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "continue" functions primarily as a verb and is used to express the ongoing nature of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It is a versatile term applicable across various contexts, though its frequency is particularly high in news and media. When using "continue", ensure clarity regarding the action being prolonged to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "proceed", "go on", and "keep going" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. With a strong grammatical standing and broad applicability, "continue" is a valuable asset in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceed

Focuses on moving forward or onward in a course or action.

go on

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of an activity or situation.

keep going

Highlights perseverance and sustained effort.

carry on

Suggests maintaining a course of action despite difficulties.

keep up

Implies maintaining pace or momentum.

persevere

Stresses determination in the face of obstacles.

maintain

Focuses on upholding or preserving a state or condition.

sustain

Highlights the act of supporting or prolonging something.

resume

Indicates restarting an activity after an interruption.

extend

Emphasizes lengthening the duration of something.

FAQs

How do you use "continue" in a sentence?

"Continue" can be used to express the ongoing nature of an activity. For example, "We will "continue to monitor" the situation closely" or "Please "continue reading" to learn more".

What are some alternatives to the word "continue"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "proceed", "go on", or "keep going" as replacements for "continue".

When is it appropriate to use "continue" versus "start"?

"Continue" implies an action is already in progress and will not stop, while "start" indicates the beginning of a new action. If something is already happening, use "continue"; otherwise, use "start".

Is there a difference between "continue to do" and "continue doing"?

Both "continue to do" and "continue doing" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable, but "continue doing" can sometimes emphasize the ongoing nature of the action more strongly. For example, "I will "continue to learn"" and "I will "continue learning"".