continue to belong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continue to belong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing ongoing membership or affiliation with a group, organization, or community. Example: "Even after moving to a new city, I still feel that I continue to belong to my hometown's community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Scotland would continue to belong to the EU and other international organisations.

The Guardian

But the fragrance licences will continue to belong to a cosmetics company, Coty.

The Economist

Second, the government should announce that the UK, and UK firms, will continue to belong to the European emissions trading scheme under any Brexit scenario.

The Guardian

As the final decision on Superfund listing sits with E.P.A. authorities in Washington, it looks increasingly likely that, for the immediate future, the canal will continue to belong to those who are already there — the pioneers.

The New York Times - Magazine

If the recordings are works for hire, author's rights would continue to belong to the recording company for the full term of the copyright: 95 years for a work for hire or 70 years after the author's death.

The New York Times

Land will continue to belong to the state, but "leases" introduced by reformers in 1978 could now be lengthened to 70 years, giving farmers far greater freedom over what to do with their land.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

So long as he continues to belong, the club contracts to regard, respect and nurture him.

The Guardian

Mr. Bieber can be his own man, sure, so long as he continues to belong to everyone else too.

The New York Times - Arts

The father might indeed allow a child (as he might a slave) certain property to treat as his own, but in the eye of the law it continued to belong to the father.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A Macedonian Albanian, Teuta Arifi, argues that Albanians should emulate German-speakers, who have built separate identities in Germany, Switzerland and Austria while continuing to belong to the same German culture.A pan-Albanian market of 6m consumers, is slowly emerging.

The Economist

If this can put him in a strangely reactionary position at times, it also signals his fidelity to the lives of the New South Wales farming people and other workers among whom he grew up and among whom he continues to belong.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "continue to belong" to emphasize the ongoing nature of a relationship or membership, especially when there might be reasons to expect a change. This phrasing is most effective when highlighting stability or persistence.

Common error

Be mindful of redundancy. Avoid using "continue to belong" when the context already clearly implies an ongoing relationship. For example, instead of saying "They continue to belong to the club, which they have been members of for years", simply say "They belong to the club, which they have been members of for years".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continue to belong" functions primarily as a verb phrase expressing ongoing affiliation or membership. It indicates that a subject maintains a connection or association with a group, place, or idea. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage in various contexts, reinforcing its role in describing sustained relationships.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

12.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6.25%

Formal & Business

6.25%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "continue to belong" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express ongoing affiliation or membership. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. While generally neutral in register, it is important to avoid redundancy and ensure the context warrants emphasizing the continuous nature of the relationship. Alternatives like "remain a member" or "stay connected to" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively use "continue to belong" to convey a sense of sustained connection and stability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep belonging to

A more emphatic and direct way of expressing the continuation of belonging.

remain a member

Focuses specifically on the aspect of maintaining membership in a group or organization.

stay a part of

A simple and direct way to express remaining within a group or community.

stay connected to

Emphasizes the ongoing connection or relationship with a place, person, or idea.

maintain affiliation with

Highlights the preservation of a formal association or alliance.

carry on as a member of

Implies a smooth continuation of membership, often in a formal setting.

persist in being part of

Stresses the perseverance in remaining integrated within a group or entity.

sustain membership in

Focuses on the effort required to maintain one's position within a group.

retain ties with

Emphasizes keeping established links or connections alive.

hold onto membership

Highlights the desire to retain membership, especially in the face of challenges.

FAQs

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

You can use "continue to belong" to express the idea that someone or something remains a part of a group, organization, or place. For example: "Even after moving, she still feels she "continues to belong" to her hometown community."

What are some alternatives to "continue to belong"?

Alternatives include phrases like "remain a member", "stay connected to", or "maintain affiliation with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "continuing to belong" instead of "continue to belong"?

Both phrases are grammatically sound, but they function differently. "Continue to belong" serves as an infinitive phrase, while "continuing to belong" acts as a gerund phrase. The choice depends on the grammatical structure of the sentence. See also "continuing to belong" examples.

What's the difference between "continue to belong" and "used to belong"?

"Continue to belong" implies an ongoing connection, while "used to belong" indicates a past connection that no longer exists. For example, "She "continues to belong" to the organization" suggests current membership, whereas "She used to belong to the organization" indicates she is no longer a member.