continue to defend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continue to defend" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of maintaining a position or argument in the face of opposition or criticism. Example: "Despite the backlash, the politician decided to continue to defend his controversial policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We cannot continue to defend the indefensible.

Cornell University

"We will continue to defend ourselves," said one Hamas man.

The Economist

Israel said it would continue to defend its civilians.

Independent

"We will continue to defend against them vigorously".

The New York Times

His most ardent supporters continue to defend him.

The New York Times

We are defending and we still will continue to defend".

The New York Times

Most Republicans continue to defend the administration's policies.

The New York Times

"We intend to continue to defend the company," she said.

The New York Times

Until Wednesday, it had been unclear whether the V.A. would continue to defend the law.

The New York Times

So why do his government's lawyers continue to defend the act in court?

The New York Times

He said his client would continue to defend against Mr. Picard's "meritless allegations".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "continue to defend" when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of a defensive action or argument, especially when facing opposition. It suggests a deliberate and sustained effort to protect a position.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the passive voice when using "continue to defend". While grammatically correct, it can weaken the impact. Instead of "The policy will continue to be defended", use "We will continue to defend the policy" for a stronger statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continue to defend" functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing action. It demonstrates a commitment to maintaining a defensive stance, either physically or argumentatively. As shown by Ludwig, it can be used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

11%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "continue to defend" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that signifies an ongoing effort to protect or support a position. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It appears most commonly in news and media, formal business contexts, and academic settings. When using the phrase, ensure you avoid overusing the passive voice to maintain clarity and impact. Alternatives like "persist in defending" or "keep defending" can provide subtle variations in meaning. The phrase is suitable for neutral to formal registers, making it versatile for various writing and speaking scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persist in defending

Emphasizes the act of steadfastly maintaining a defense, highlighting determination.

keep defending

Highlights the ongoing nature of the defensive action, focusing on repetition.

sustain a defense

Focuses on the ability to maintain a defensive position over time.

maintain a defense

Stresses the act of upholding or preserving a defensive strategy.

uphold a defense

Highlights the act of supporting or validating a defensive stance.

carry on defending

Emphasizes the continuation of the action of defending, suggesting resilience.

stand by a defense

Focuses on remaining committed to a particular defensive approach.

hold one's ground

Implies resisting pressure and maintaining a position despite opposition.

remain defensive

Highlights a continuing posture of readiness against potential attacks.

stick to one's guns

Focuses on maintaining one's beliefs or actions despite criticism or opposition.

FAQs

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

You can use "continue to defend" to show the ongoing nature of protecting a position or argument, like in the sentence: "The lawyer stated that they would "continue to defend" their client against all charges".

What are some alternatives to "continue to defend"?

Alternatives include "persist in defending", "keep defending", or "maintain a defense", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "continue to defend for" instead of "continue to defend"?

While "defend for" can be used in some contexts, "continue to defend" is generally used without "for" when referring to an ongoing action of protection or advocacy. For instance, it's more common to say "continue to defend the policy" rather than "continue to defend for the policy".

What is the difference between "continue to defend" and "defend"?

"Defend" refers to the act of protecting or supporting something, while "continue to defend" emphasizes that this action is ongoing or will persist. "Defend" implies a single instance, whereas "continue to defend" implies a repeated or sustained effort.