continues not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continues not" is not commonly used in modern written English and may sound archaic or poetic.
It can be used in literary or formal contexts where an old-fashioned tone is appropriate, often to convey a sense of ongoing action in a more dramatic way. Example: "The storm continues not, but the aftermath leaves a lasting impact on the village."

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I loved the book," she continues, not entirely convincingly.

Independent

Daniel Ferbé continues not to ring true for me.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Television continues not to do justice to modern tennis, selling the speed and the power short.

The New York Times - Sports

It continues not to, which brings us back to Mr. Broad.

The New York Times - Arts

"You know who put him in first team ever?" he continues, not missing a beat.

The New York Times

He could just sit and be perfectly content.' " Mr. Dyer continues: "Not like me.

The New York Times - Books

Academia risks becoming (even more) exclusionary if it continues not paying GTAs for the hours they work.

The Guardian

A fairness opinion has never been, and continues not to be, an essential condition for a change of control transaction.

The New York Times

And the federal help continues — not as direct bailouts, but in the form of an implicit government guarantee.

The New York Times

If Ukraine continues not to pay its bills and without outside help, it cannot Gazprom can cut it off.

The Economist

With the exception of Ankara, the world continues not to recognise the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "continues not" with a more common phrasing like "does not continue" for improved clarity and readability, especially in less formal contexts. While grammatically acceptable, "continues not" can sound archaic or overly formal.

Common error

Avoid using "continues not" in casual writing or everyday conversation. Opt for simpler, more direct alternatives unless you are intentionally aiming for a formal or old-fashioned tone. Using phrase like "does not continue" is more advisable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continues not" functions as a negated verb phrase, indicating the cessation or absence of ongoing action. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts where an expected or previously established continuation is being denied.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "continues not" is a grammatically acceptable, though somewhat less common, way to express the negation of continuation. While Ludwig AI considers this phrase acceptable, it is advisable to consider using a more common phrasing, as "does not continue". Its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, indicating its versatility but with a tendency towards formal or literary styles. For everyday communication, simpler alternatives like "does not continue" are usually more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not continue

Replaces the compound verb with a more standard negative construction, prioritizing clarity.

fails to continue

Emphasizes the lack of continuation, highlighting an expectation that was unmet.

does not go on

Uses a phrasal verb to express the cessation of an action or state.

ceases to continue

Uses "ceases" for formality, highlighting the termination of the continuation, adding emphasis.

halts its continuation

Uses a nominalization to shift focus onto the process of continuing rather than just the action.

interrupts the continuation

Conveys that the action was proceeding, but was then paused.

cannot continue

Indicates that the verb cannot proceed.

won't continue

Expresses future negation of the action, often reflecting a decision or determination.

refrains from continuing

Suggests a deliberate choice not to proceed.

desists from continuing

Implies a more formal or legalistic context where the action is being intentionally stopped.

FAQs

What does "continues not" mean?

The phrase "continues not" means that something is not ongoing or is stopping. It's a slightly less common and more formal way of saying "does not continue".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "continues not"?

The phrase "continues not" is most appropriate in formal writing or when trying to achieve a slightly archaic or literary tone. In everyday speech or informal writing, phrases like "does not continue" are generally preferred.

What are some alternatives to "continues not"?

Alternatives to "continues not" include "does not continue", "fails to continue", or "ceases to continue". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "continues not" grammatically correct?

Yes, "continues not" is grammatically correct, although it's less common in modern English. It follows the structure of auxiliary verb + "not" + main verb. Using phrase like "does not continue" might sound better.