continuing the lines

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continuing the lines" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of maintaining or extending a particular thought, idea, or physical line in a text or drawing. Example: "The artist focused on continuing the lines of the original sketch to create a more detailed final piece."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In a way, my book was really continuing the lines of recent discussions, that is to say, we've identified the problem and we've seen some of the reasons for it, and we've seen our political leaders and our religious leaders all saying this is a serious problem — a "defining challenge of our time" to quote your president.

Huffington Post

It was divided into cranioventral and caudoventral sites by continuing the lines that bisected the flanks.

BMC Veterinary Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Near the bottom, where the raindrop is almost at it's thickest, imagine continuing the line before it starts curving.

WikiHow

His later fiction was carefully wrought and continued the lines of narrative exploration he had opened in the 70s.

The Guardian - Books

"In our part of the world," he continued, "the lines between fantasy, invention, documentation and confession are not necessarily as sharp," as they are in other places.

The New York Times - Books

The eastern lines at first terminated at Jernbanetorget, and the plans were to continue the lines onwards towards Bislett.

Wikipedia

Use the slope to continue the lines.

WikiHow

"He continues the line of being everybody's man.

The New York Times

The primary purpose of a royal marriage was to beget an heir to continue the line.

The New Yorker

Several generations live under one roof, with one child marrying to continue the line.

The New York Times

He grabbed the tool and, squinting, carved into the lower right hip; turning the sculpture wheel, he continued the line across the Creature's buttocks.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "continuing the lines" in technical writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to literal lines (e.g., in diagrams) or figurative lines (e.g., lines of reasoning).

Common error

Avoid using "continuing the lines" when the context involves diverging or branching paths. This phrase suggests maintaining a singular direction or concept.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continuing the lines" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe the act of extending or maintaining a trajectory, either literally (in the context of physical lines) or figuratively (in the context of arguments, discussions, or lineages). The examples from Ludwig show its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "continuing the lines" is grammatically correct and used to describe the act of extending or maintaining something, be it a physical line or a figurative concept, according to Ludwig. While its frequency is rare, it appears across diverse contexts like News & Media, Wiki, and Science. The level of formality is generally neutral, depending on the surrounding text. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're referring to literal or figurative lines. Alternatives such as "extending the boundaries" or "maintaining the course" might be more appropriate depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is usable in written English, making it a valid choice for expressing continuation and extension.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintaining the course

Emphasizes adherence to a path or direction, unlike developing it.

pursuing the direction

Stresses following a path, not necessarily prolonging or expanding it.

prolonging the sequence

Highlights the act of lengthening a series, rather than maintaining a line of thought or physical direction.

extending the boundaries

Focuses on expanding limits, differing from maintaining an existing line.

developing the narrative

Implies expanding a story, differing from physical lines or abstract concepts.

furthering the argument

Indicates advancing a discussion, which is a more specific application than maintaining lines in general.

advancing the cause

Highlights promoting a purpose, differing from continuing a trajectory.

progressing the theme

Focuses on developing a central topic, a more focused application.

perpetuating the lineage

Specifically refers to continuing a family or ancestral line, which is a narrower meaning.

carrying on the tradition

Stresses maintaining established customs, unlike advancing a line of thought.

FAQs

How can I use "continuing the lines" in a sentence?

You can use "continuing the lines" to describe extending a physical line in a drawing, like, "The architect focused on "continuing the lines" of the blueprint". It can also describe extending a line of reasoning or thought, for example, "The author is "continuing the lines" of previous research in this field".

What's a good alternative to "continuing the lines"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "extending the boundaries", "maintaining the course", or "developing the narrative".

Is "continuing the line" or "continuing the lines" more appropriate?

The choice depends on the context. "Continuing the line" is suitable when referring to a single, specific line, while ""continuing the lines"" is used when referring to multiple lines or a general direction.

When is it incorrect to use "continuing the lines"?

It would be incorrect to use ""continuing the lines"" if the context involves diverging or intentionally breaking from a previous direction or concept. In such cases, phrases like "deviating from the path" or "changing direction" would be more appropriate.