continued to happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continued to happen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an ongoing occurrence or event that persists over time. Example: "Despite the challenges, the issues continued to happen, causing frustration among the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Accidents continued to happen.

The Guardian - Arts

Strange things continued to happen after Viduka's second strike.

The Guardian - Sport

"It happened to me, and then it continued to happen".

The New York Times - Sports

At 20, I was writing music for dance and theatre companies (1); from there, things continued to happen.

The Guardian - Music

And so nothing much continued to happen, for ages, as the most tightly-buttoned three hours of talk radio imaginable unfolded.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Welland meant by implication to Hollywood, but, with rare fine exceptions, nothing sturdily continued to happen except Brits got to play all the cheeky villains.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

This cannot continue to happen.

The New York Times

It will continue to happen".

The New York Times

Hopefully that continues to happen.

The Guardian - Sport

"That will continue to happen.

The Guardian

And that continues to happen?

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "continued to happen" when you want to emphasize the ongoing nature of an event, especially when it persists despite expectations or interventions.

Common error

Avoid using "continued to happen" in simple narratives where a more concise word like "happened" or "occurred" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continued to happen" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the ongoing or repetitive nature of an event. It is used to describe situations where something persisted or recurred over a period of time, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

15%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "continued to happen" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe events that persisted or recurred over time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing. While versatile, it's best used when emphasizing the ongoing or repetitive nature of an event. Alternatives like "kept happening" or "persisted in occurring" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. By understanding its proper usage and potential alternatives, writers can effectively convey the persistence of events in their narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kept happening

This alternative uses a simpler verb phrase, focusing on the repetitive aspect of the occurrence.

carried on occurring

This alternative emphasizes the uninterrupted flow or continuation of the event.

persisted in occurring

This phrase emphasizes the continuous and stubborn nature of the event's occurrence.

recurred repeatedly

This option highlights the cyclical nature of the event, emphasizing its repeated return.

continued to unfold

This option focuses on the gradual revelation or development of events over time.

went on happening

This phrase uses a more informal tone, suggesting an ongoing sequence of events.

sustained its occurrence

This emphasizes the maintenance and continuation of the event over time.

uninterruptedly occurred

Highlights the lack of interruption or cessation in the event's occurrence.

never ceased to occur

This highlights the unwavering and constant nature of the event's happening.

incessantly transpired

Emphasizes the relentless and ceaseless nature of the event's unfolding.

FAQs

How can I use "continued to happen" in a sentence?

You can use "continued to happen" to describe events that persisted over time. For example, "Despite the warnings, the accidents "continued to happen"."

What are some alternatives to "continued to happen"?

Alternatives include "kept happening", "persisted in occurring", or "recurred repeatedly", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "continues to happen" instead of "continued to happen"?

Yes, "continues to happen" is correct, but it refers to something that is still happening in the present. "Continued to happen" refers to events that occurred over a period in the past.

What is the difference between "continued to happen" and "continued happening"?

"Continued to happen" is a more common and grammatically standard construction. "Continued happening" is less frequent and can sound awkward in some contexts. It's generally safer to use "continued to happen".