continues

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "continues" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something goes on in the same way. For example: The debate continues tomorrow night with both candidates presenting their views.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And as we bring net migration down so we must also make sure that Britain continues to benefit from it.

The Guardian

This struggle continues in today's modern setting.

The Guardian

The poison from the murder continues to leach into every aspect of the relationship.

The Guardian - Opinion

While some presidents, including those who occupied the White House for a full eight years, have struggled to be remembered at all 50 years after their deaths, Kennedy continues to loom large.

The Guardian

Although a growing body of evidence, including interviews with Russian soldiers, indicates that Moscow has sent active-duty troops and equipment to support the pro-Russia rebels over the past year, the president, Vladimir Putin, continues to deny his forces' participation in the conflict.

The Guardian

"International human rights law leaves out men in nearly all instruments designed to address sexual violence," she continues.

The Guardian

Orbán has already expressed his sympathy for "capitalism with Asian values"; if the European pressure on Orbán continues, we can easily imagine him sending a message to the east: 'We are defending Asia here!' Today's anti-immigrant populism has replaced direct barbarism with a barbarism that has a human face.

The Guardian

Interestingly, Bill Shorten's support has dropped five points to 42 since his high of 47. Malcolm Turnbull continues to blitz the PM and any other Liberals for that matter.

The Guardian

Piano's entry into the UK media market continues its rapid international expansion since it began offering metered products in 2013.

The Guardian

Meanwhile David Cameron's approval rating continues to tick downwards, with 28% approving compared to 29% who don't in the last poll.

The Guardian

Yet, to take just one example, the misplacement of nasogastric tubes continues.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "continues" to clearly indicate that an action, state, or process is ongoing without interruption. This ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "continues" when referring to a completed action in the past. Use past tense forms like "continued" or "went on" to accurately reflect the time frame.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "continues" is as a third-person singular present tense verb. It indicates that an action or state is ongoing or sustained. As Ludwig confirms, it is a correct and usable term in written English, signaling that something goes on in the same way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "continues" is a versatile verb used to indicate an ongoing action or state. Analysis of various sources, as shown in Ludwig, indicates that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. While "continues" is generally appropriate for neutral register, its applicability can extend to both formal and informal settings. When writing, be mindful of using the correct tense and consider alternatives like "carries on" or "persists" to add variety. As confirmed by Ludwig, the correct use of "continues" enhances clarity and effectively conveys the message of uninterrupted progression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carries on

Implies a continuation of an activity, often despite difficulties.

goes on

A general term for continuing, often used in storytelling or explanations.

persists

Suggests a stubborn or prolonged continuation, often against resistance.

keeps on

Emphasizes the repetitive or sustained nature of the action.

endures

Highlights the ability to last or survive through hardship.

prevails

Suggests eventual success or dominance after a period of struggle.

maintains

Similar to 'retains', but often implies active effort to keep something going.

retains

Focuses on maintaining something in its current state without change.

sustains

Indicates providing support or nourishment to keep something alive or active.

prolongs

Emphasizes extending the duration of something.

FAQs

How can I use "continues" in a sentence?

"Continues" is used to indicate that something is ongoing or happening without stopping. For example, "The project "continues" to progress despite the challenges."

What are some alternatives to using "continues"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "carries on", "persists", or "keeps on".

Is it correct to say "the meeting continues on Monday"?

Yes, that's a correct and common usage. It indicates that the meeting will resume on Monday after a pause.

What's the difference between "continues" and "continues on"?

"Continues" generally means something is happening without stopping. "Continues on" typically implies that something is progressing to a further stage or destination. For example, "The road "continues" for miles" versus "The investigation "continues on" to the next phase".