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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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continuing ongoing

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continuing ongoing" is not correct and is redundant in written English.
You can use it when trying to describe a process or situation that is both continuing and ongoing, but it is better to choose one term. Example: "The project is continuing ongoing, and we expect to see results soon."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A federal judge in Virginia, Liam O'Grady, ruled against them last November, saying that the information sought by the government was relevant to a continuing ongoing investigation.

News & Media

The New York Times

And he says that any successes are a tribute to what he learned about "Afghan mud-hut diplomacy" from Mr. Karzai and from Gul Agha Shirzai, the first governor of liberated Kandahar, as well as to the continuing ongoing efforts by the more than 50 small teams of Marines, Navy SEALs and Green Berets now in the field training local police units.

News & Media

The New York Times

In two studies (Calabrese et al. [2003]; Bowden et al. [2003]) for those patients continuing ongoing lithium during the open-label phase, the dosage was tapered over at least 3 weeks and discontinued a minimum of 1 week prior to entering the double-blind phase of the study.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In some respects, this order simply continues ongoing efforts.

Given the uncertainty of climate change effects, it will be important to continue ongoing monitoring programs and implement new ones that help separate natural variability from the effects of climate change.

"I think this is an opportunity for the president to highlight the deep and rich nature of our relations with Spain, and to continue ongoing efforts to expand and deepen the friendship between the two countries," Mr. Lockhart offered.

News & Media

The New York Times

The aftermath of the race continued ongoing tension after Sun had reportedly splashed Horton in the face during a training session at the Olympic aquatic centre earlier in the week.

Appropriate rewards and motivation protocols are essential to continue ongoing improvement.

Instead, the ministry wants to continue ongoing discussions of Allègre's plans within its science agencies.

Science & Research

Science Magazine

Since the injury, I use both CBD and THC products daily to continue ongoing pain management.

News & Media

Forbes

March 16: TRW Automotive Holdings continues ongoing cuts with 42 salaried employees in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

News & Media

Forbes
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "continuing ongoing" in your writing. Choose either "continuing" or "ongoing" to describe an action or process to prevent redundancy. For example, instead of "continuing ongoing research", use "continuing research" or "ongoing research".

Common error

Using "continuing ongoing" adds unnecessary words and makes your writing less clear. Instead, select the single word that accurately describes what you mean.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

82%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continuing ongoing" functions as a descriptive modifier, aiming to characterize an activity or process. However, it is considered grammatically incorrect due to its redundancy, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "continuing ongoing" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its redundancy. While the intention is to emphasize the uninterrupted nature of an activity or process, using both "continuing" and "ongoing" together doesn't add any value and detracts from clarity. As indicated by Ludwig, it's better to choose one term, such as "continuing" or "ongoing", to describe the action or process. This improves the precision and professionalism of your writing, avoiding unnecessary repetition.

FAQs

What's wrong with using the phrase "continuing ongoing"?

The phrase "continuing ongoing" is redundant because "continuing" and "ongoing" have very similar meanings. Using both together doesn't add any value and can make your writing sound awkward.

Is it ever correct to use the phrase "continuing ongoing"?

While it might be used informally, "continuing ongoing" is generally considered incorrect in formal writing. Opt for one of the terms, such as "continuing" or "ongoing", to avoid redundancy.

What are some alternatives to "continuing ongoing" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you can use single words like "continuing", "ongoing", or phrases like "in progress".

How can I avoid making mistakes with redundant phrases like "continuing ongoing"?

To avoid redundancy, carefully consider the meaning of each word you use and whether it adds unique value to the sentence. If two words have similar meanings, choose the one that best fits the context.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: