continued playing

USAGE SUMMARY

"continued playing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when you want to show that someone has continued to do something over an extended period of time. For example, "They continued playing their game for hours and didn't even take a break."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He just continued playing the point.

Independent

Terry continued playing throughout the ensuing decades.

The New Yorker

He continued playing football at Columbia.

The New York Times - Science

Ms. Smith continued playing, mostly club dates.

The New York Times - Books

And she continued playing almost to the end.

The New York Times - Arts

Stokes continued playing rugby league, representing England at schoolboy level.

The Guardian - Sport

David Ortiz continued playing like a complete and total animal.

The Guardian - Sport

He continued playing at M.I.T., where he studied computer science.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But no compromise is possible on the settlement teams continued playing in Israel's league".

The Guardian

He continued playing chess and composing for the remainder of his life, traveling regularly to London.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Despite alcoholism and ill health, he continued playing until shortly before his death in 1969.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continued playing", ensure the context clearly indicates what activity is being played and why its continuation is significant. For example, "Despite the rain, the team continued playing." clarifies the activity and the condition affecting it.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb tenses when constructing sentences with "continued playing". For instance, using "continue playing" without the past tense or appropriate auxiliary verbs can lead to grammatical errors. Ensure the tense aligns with the intended timeframe of the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continued playing" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the ongoing nature of an action. It modifies a subject by describing what the subject kept doing. Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "continued playing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that indicates the persistence of an action. As confirmed by Ludwig, it effectively conveys that an activity was not stopped, even in the face of potential obstacles. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media sources but has a neutral register, making it suitable for a variety of contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the tense is consistent and the context makes it clear what activity is being played. Alternatives such as "kept playing" or "persisted in playing" can offer nuanced variations depending on the desired tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persisted in playing

This alternative emphasizes the determination or effort involved in continuing to play.

kept playing

A simpler and more common way to express the idea of continuing to play.

carried on playing

This suggests that the action of playing was resumed or maintained despite some interruption.

went on playing

Similar to "carried on playing", this option highlights the continuation of the action.

resumed playing

This indicates that the playing was interrupted and then started again.

maintained playing

This alternative places emphasis on preserving the state of playing.

retained playing

This option suggests holding onto or keeping the ability to play.

sustained playing

This implies the playing was kept up or supported through some difficulty.

persevered in playing

Emphasizes a steadfast and determined continuation despite obstacles.

prolonged playing

This emphasizes extending the duration of playing beyond the expected time.

FAQs

How can I use "continued playing" in a sentence?

You can use "continued playing" to describe an action that persisted over time. For example, "Despite the injury, he "continued playing" until the end of the game".

What are some alternatives to "continued playing"?

Alternatives include "kept playing", "persisted in playing", or "carried on playing", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "continued playing" and "kept playing"?

While similar, "continued playing" suggests a more formal and sustained effort than "kept playing", which is more casual. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.

What is the correct tense to use with "continued playing"?

"Continued playing" is already in the past tense. To maintain grammatical consistency, ensure the rest of your sentence aligns with the past tense. For instance, "She "continued playing" even though she was tired".