continued to have

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continued to have" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has maintained a certain state or possession over a period of time. Example: "Despite the challenges, she continued to have faith in her team's abilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mrs. Campos continued to have faith.

The New Yorker

But she continued to have financial problems.

The New York Times

Yet his servers continued to have problems.

The New York Times

He continued to have some object agnosia, too.

The New Yorker

Yet Cook continued to have the friends that matter.

Independent

The lamas continued to have strong spiritual influence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The housing-market slump continued to have knock-on effects.

The Economist

Yet he continued to have headaches, anxiety and vivid nightmares.

The New York Times

With the Rangers, Rodriguez continued to have great offensive seasons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But scientists continued to have trouble getting the cells.

The New York Times

Throughout his career, Wesker continued to have international success.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "continued to have" to clearly indicate the ongoing nature of a state or possession. It is particularly useful when contrasting with a previous state or expectation. For example: "Despite the setbacks, they "continued to have" faith in their project."

Common error

Avoid using "continued to have" in sentences where a simpler verb like "had" or "retained" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound repetitive and less concise. For instance, instead of saying "He "continued to have" a headache", consider saying "He still had a headache".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continued to have" serves as a stative verb phrase, indicating the ongoing state or possession of something. As Ludwig AI states, it is considered grammatically correct. It connects a subject with a state or condition that persisted over time, as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "continued to have" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to indicate that something has remained in a particular state or possession over time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is frequently used in diverse contexts, including scientific literature and news reporting, highlighting its widespread applicability. While generally neutral in register, avoiding overuse and opting for simpler alternatives like "still had" can improve writing conciseness. Considering options such as "retained" or "persisted in having" can also add nuance or formality as needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still had

This option is simpler and focuses on the fact that something was still present.

kept having

This alternative uses a more common verb, "kept", to indicate continuation, simplifying the phrase.

carried on having

This alternative highlights the ongoing nature of the action or state.

persisted in having

This alternative emphasizes the enduring nature of the situation, suggesting a deliberate continuation.

maintained possession of

This alternative uses more formal language and emphasizes the aspect of ownership or control.

consistently maintained

This option emphasizes the consistency of keeping or having something.

retained

This is a more concise and formal way of saying that something was kept or maintained.

held on to

This option suggests a more active effort to keep something.

experienced consistently

Changes the structure from having to experiencing but it preserves the meaning of the subject had some experience in a consistent way.

incessantly possessed

This alternative emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of the possession, adding a sense of persistence.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "continued to have" to avoid repetition?

You can use alternatives such as "still had", "kept having", or "persisted in having" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. For example, "Despite the challenges, she "kept having" hope".

Is there a more formal alternative to "continued to have"?

Yes, you can use "maintained possession of" or "retained". For instance, "The company "retained" its market share despite increased competition".

What is the difference between "continued to have" and "continued suffering"?

"Continued to have" generally refers to maintaining a state or possession, while "continued to suffer" refers specifically to the ongoing experience of pain or hardship. They are not interchangeable, as one implies a neutral or positive state, and the other implies a negative experience.

How to use "continued to have" in a sentence?

Use "continued to have" to show that something remained the same over a period of time. For example, "Even after the treatment, the patient "continued to have" occasional muscle spasms".