continued to continue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continued to continue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action that was already in progress. Example: "Despite the challenges, she continued to continue her studies, determined to achieve her degree."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The pattern continued with his Cameron Diaz/man-on-run actioner "Knight and Day" two years later  ($76 million), continued to continue with the sniper action pic "Jack Reacher" in 2012 ($80 million) and continued once more last year with the effects-heavy action pic "Oblivion" ($89 million).

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Does Peggy Olson need a man in order to continue to continue kicking ass in life?

Huffington Post

IN TODAY'S RADIO REPORT: Summer of Floods, Summer of Fires continues to continue -- now with Extra Nuclear Flavor!

Huffington Post

The car immediately stopped … I continued to stand, it continued to stay stopped.

The Guardian

"Despite the pressure, we continue to remain impartial, we continue to remain cool and continue our professional services".

The Guardian

So we must continue to remain vigilant, continue to remain informed, and continue to tell America, Black.

Huffington Post

[Page A1.] Stocks Continue to Increase Stocks continued to climb.

The New York Times

As the 21st century continued, Gehry continued to receive numerous large-scale commissions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

However, both chains' growth continued to slow, continuing a trend over the past year.

The Guardian - Business

[World Business, Section W.] Year-End Stock Rally Continues Stocks continued to rally.

The New York Times

But he continued to work, and continues to do so today.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While grammatically correct, consider if the repetition in "continued to continue" adds meaningful emphasis or if a simpler phrasing like "continued" would suffice for clarity and conciseness.

Common error

Overusing phrases like "continued to continue" can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Opt for concise alternatives to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continued to continue" functions as a verb phrase, emphasizing the persistent nature of an action. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and potential for emphasizing ongoing actions. However, the construction can be considered somewhat redundant.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically sound, the phrase "continued to continue" is a relatively rare and potentially redundant construction. As Ludwig AI confirms, it can be used to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action, but writers should consider whether the extra emphasis is necessary or if a more concise alternative like "continued" would suffice. The phrase appears across various contexts, including news, science and encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral register. However, clarity and conciseness should always be prioritized in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persisted in continuing

Emphasizes determination and effort in maintaining the continuation.

kept on continuing

Adds a sense of prolonged action, highlighting the duration of the continuation.

carried on continuing

Suggests a seamless transition into the ongoing action, emphasizing smoothness.

went on continuing

Indicates a straightforward progression without significant interruption.

resumed continuing

Implies a pause before the action was taken up again.

recommenced continuing

A more formal way to indicate resuming an action.

persevered in continuing

Highlights the resilience and tenacity in maintaining the continuation.

extended the continuation

Focuses on lengthening or prolonging the state of continuation itself.

sustained the continuation

Emphasizes maintaining the status quo without interruption.

furthered the continuation

Indicates that the continuation was advanced or promoted.

FAQs

Is "continued to continue" grammatically correct?

Yes, "continued to continue" is grammatically correct, though it can sound redundant. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English and can be used to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action that was already in progress.

What are some alternatives to "continued to continue"?

Some alternatives to "continued to continue" include "persisted in continuing", "kept on continuing", or simply "continued" depending on the desired emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "continued to continue"?

Using "continued to continue" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action with extra emphasis. However, it's best to use it sparingly to avoid redundancy.

How can I make my writing more concise when using phrases like "continued to continue"?

To make your writing more concise, consider whether the extra emphasis is necessary. In many cases, using just "continued" will be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The project continued to continue to face challenges", you could say "The project continued to face challenges".