continue to listen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continue to listen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to keep paying attention or to maintain their focus on what is being said. Example: "During the presentation, please continue to listen carefully to the speaker's points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

People continue to listen.

The New York Times

We'll continue to listen to the audience.

The New York Times - Sports

And I'll continue to listen to his music, too.

The New York Times - Arts

He heard us, and I believe he'll continue to listen.

The Washington Post

Justice should continue to comment, and Mr. Feinberg should continue to listen.

The New York Times

As ever, we will continue to listen to the feedback from our global community of readers".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

My parents continued to listen to the guide discourse on Pharaonic power.

The New Yorker

I reached for her hand in comfort, and I continued to listen.

Harvard University

He lost control of the Star Trek franchise to Paramount, although they continued to listen to his advice.

Independent

The Bengals also continued to listen to trade offers for their fourth pick last night.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's not something she continues to listen to on a daily basis".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "continue to listen" to emphasize the importance of ongoing attention, especially in situations where sustained focus is needed, like during a lecture or important instructions.

Common error

Avoid using "continue to listen" when the continuation is already implied. For example, instead of saying "Please continue to listen as I continue speaking", simply say "Please continue to listen as I speak" or "Please listen as I continue speaking."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continue to listen" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of maintaining attention to an auditory input. Ludwig AI shows examples where it's used in contexts ranging from formal speeches to personal interactions, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the listening activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

11%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "continue to listen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase that encourages ongoing attention and openness. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability, with usage spanning from news reports and academic discourse to everyday conversations. While versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy and consider the specific context to ensure effective communication. Whether you're instructing someone to pay attention or expressing your own commitment to hearing others, "continue to listen" provides a clear and direct way to convey sustained engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep listening

This alternative uses a more concise verb to convey the same meaning.

carry on listening

This alternative uses a phrasal verb that's common in British English.

go on listening

Similar to "carry on listening", this conveys the action of proceeding with listening.

remain attentive

This uses a more formal tone to express sustained attention.

proceed with listening

This is a more formal way of saying to continue the action of listening.

don't stop listening

This phrase uses a negative imperative to emphasize the importance of continued listening.

persist in listening

This suggests a determined effort to keep listening.

maintain focus

This alternative shifts the emphasis to focus, a key aspect of listening.

sustain attention

This phrase highlights the duration of the listening activity.

hold on listening

This emphasizes to keep doing the action of listening.

FAQs

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

You can use "continue to listen" to encourage someone to keep paying attention, as in "Please "continue to listen" carefully to the instructions" or "I hope you will "continue to listen" to our concerns."

What are some alternatives to "continue to listen"?

Alternatives include phrases like "keep listening", "remain attentive", or "persist in listening", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "continue to listen" or "keep listening"?

"Continue to listen" is generally perceived as slightly more formal than "keep listening". The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

When should I use "continue to listen" versus "continue listening"?

Both "continue to listen" and "continue listening" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. However, "continue to listen" might be preferred when you want to emphasize the act of listening itself, while "continue listening" flows more smoothly in some sentence structures. For example, "They will "continue listening" even if they disagree with what's being said."