continue to be

USAGE SUMMARY

"continue to be" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when talking about continuing an activity, habit, state, or process. Example: The team will continue to be successful if they stay focused and strive for their goals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And I continue to be.

The New Yorker

And will continue to be".

The New York Times - Sports

Comments continue to be welcome.

The New York Times

"I continue to be optimistic.

Independent

They continue to be broke.

The New York Times

There continue to be".

The New York Times

But there continue to be problems.

The Economist

"I continue to be flattered," he said.

The New York Times

"And they continue to be eaten.

The New York Times - Food

There will continue to be consultation.

The New Yorker

Your allegiance will continue to be questioned?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "continue to be" when you want to emphasize that a state, condition, or action is ongoing and has been happening for some time. This is particularly effective when contrasting with a potential change or disruption.

Common error

Avoid using "continue to be" in sentences where a simpler verb like "remain" or "persist" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose.

Linguistic Context

Continue to be functions as an infinitive phrase, often used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., will, may, might) to express the continuation of a state, action, or characteristic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound and frequently used construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "continue to be" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to denote the persistence of a state or action. As Ludwig AI points out, it's effective in emphasizing ongoing conditions, and it finds frequent application across diverse sources like news media, scientific publications, and business communications. While highly common, it's important to use "continue to be" judiciously, opting for simpler alternatives like "remain" or "persist" when appropriate to maintain writing clarity and avoid unnecessary verbosity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain

Simple verb suggesting a state persists without necessarily implying prior change.

persist in being

Emphasizes the ongoing nature and determination of the state.

carry on being

Suggests an uninterrupted continuation of a state or activity.

keep on being

Informal, emphasizing continuous action without significant change.

go on being

Similar to "keep on being" but slightly more formal.

hold on to being

Implies maintaining a current state against potential challenges.

stay as

Indicates maintaining a particular state or condition.

endure as

Emphasizes survival and long-term existence in a certain state.

persevere in being

Highlights effort and resilience in maintaining a specific state.

sustain itself as

Focuses on the ability to independently maintain a state or function.

FAQs

How can I use "continue to be" in a sentence?

Use "continue to be" to describe an ongoing state or action. For example, "The project will "continue to be" a priority for the company."

What are some alternatives to "continue to be"?

You can use alternatives like "remain", "persist", or "stay" depending on the context. Each word offers a slightly different nuance while maintaining a similar meaning.

Is it ever incorrect to use "continue to be"?

While grammatically correct, overuse of "continue to be" can make your writing sound verbose. Choose simpler verbs when appropriate to improve clarity and conciseness.

What is the difference between "continue to be" and "continues to be"?

"Continue to be" is typically used with modal verbs (e.g., will continue to be) or in infinitives. "Continues to be" is used when the subject is singular and the verb is in the present tense, indicating an ongoing action or state.