continuing to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continuing to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the ongoing nature of an action or process. Example: "She is continuing to improve her skills through regular practice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Joe is continuing to fight".

The New York Times - Sports

They are continuing to investigate.

The New York Times

"We are continuing to talk.

Independent

"Ukip is continuing to investigate".

Independent

Continuing to swell after practices.

The New York Times - Sports

"He's continuing to improve," Girardi said.

The New York Times

Mr. Weiner is continuing to reach out.

The New York Times

The two sides are continuing to negotiate.

The New York Times

Both actors are continuing to push boundaries.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Continuing to do what we always do.

Independent

Many are continuing to wield influence.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "continuing to" to clearly indicate that an action or process is ongoing and hasn't been completed. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the temporal aspect of the described activity.

Common error

Avoid using "continuing to" in sentences where a simpler verb form would suffice. For example, instead of saying "He is continuing to work", consider "He is working" if the ongoing nature is already implied or understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continuing to" functions as part of a verb phrase, specifically the progressive aspect, indicating an action that is in progress. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, highlighting its role in describing ongoing processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "continuing to" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to denote ongoing actions or states. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's suitable for various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media, scientific reports, and formal business communications. While simpler verb tenses may sometimes be more concise, "continuing to" effectively emphasizes the uninterrupted nature of an activity. When writing with "continuing to", ensure it adds value by explicitly highlighting the ongoing aspect and avoid redundancy in simple sentences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

persisting in

Emphasizes a determined continuation despite potential obstacles or resistance.

sustaining

Indicates the act of supporting or prolonging something over time.

proceeding with

Suggests a forward movement or progression in a task or activity.

ongoing

Adjectival form emphasizing the uninterrupted nature of something.

carrying on

Implies a less formal continuation, often used in spoken English.

in the process of

Highlights that an action is underway and not yet completed.

keeping up with

Focuses on maintaining pace or level with something else that is progressing.

furthering

Suggests advancement or promotion of something.

maintaining

Highlights the act of preserving or upholding a certain state or condition.

remaining

Stresses the state of staying in a particular condition or place.

FAQs

How can I use "continuing to" in a sentence?

The phrase "continuing to" is used to describe an action that is in progress and is expected to carry on. For example, "The company is "continuing to expand" its operations into new markets."

What are some alternatives to "continuing to"?

You can use alternatives like "persisting in", "proceeding with", or "carrying on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "continuing to", or can I use a simpler verb tense?

In some cases, using a simpler verb tense like the present continuous can be more concise. For example, instead of "They are continuing to investigate", you could simply say "They are investigating" if the continuation is already implied.

What's the difference between "continuing to" and "continue to"?

"Continuing to" emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action at the present moment, while "continue to" refers to a habitual or future action. For instance, "He is "continuing to improve"" suggests current progress, whereas "He will continue to improve" indicates future or consistent improvement.