could mean continued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could mean continued" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete thought and lacks clarity without additional context. Example: "The changes in the project timeline could mean continued delays in the final delivery."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That could mean continued rushing problems for Curtis Martin, who remains hobbled with a sprained left knee.

The New York Times - Sports

Overflowing coffers of retained earnings at many large firms could mean continued low demand for bank loans.

The Economist

This move, which follows an increase in US RUTF production from virtually zero two years ago to 40,000 megatonnes, could mean continued western dominance.

The Guardian

"This could mean continued instability, because even if he forms a coalition, he may not be able to govern for more than a few months".

The New York Times

The deal's failure, for example, could mean continued competition for prepaid carriers Leap Wireless International and MetroPCS Wireless Inc., which have seen T-Mobile aggressively going after no-contract customers in recent months with smartphone data plans as low as $30 a month….

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

This could mean continuing to support Arsenal and the new form of acceptance, or choosing to support a different team.

Vice

This could mean continuing in your own studies, or simply being a student of your own school community.

Huffington Post

So there are genuine fears in government that the rapid escalation of the Grangemouth strike could mean a continued stand-off.

BBC

All this means continued demonstrations could actually spur political change in Venezuela.

Huffington Post

That could mean talks continue with the Islamists or Western diplomats.

The New York Times

Yet, there are complications with the suggested reforms which could mean that services continue to be bogged down by bureaucracy.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For improved clarity, rephrase "could mean continued" to explicitly state the subject and consequence. For example, instead of "This could mean continued delays", specify "This decision could mean continued delays in the project timeline".

Common error

Avoid using "could mean continued" without a clear subject and object. This phrase often lacks context and can be confusing. Ensure your sentence clearly articulates what "could mean" what "continued" action or state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could mean continued" functions as a connector, suggesting a potential causal relationship where one event or condition leads to the continuation of another. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it is often grammatically weak.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "could mean continued" is used to suggest a potential outcome involving the continuation of something, however, its grammatical correctness is questionable according to Ludwig AI. It frequently appears in news and media contexts, but is best avoided in formal academic writing due to its potential for ambiguity. For enhanced clarity, consider alternatives such as "might imply ongoing" or "could lead to prolonged". Remember to always provide sufficient context when using "could mean continued" to ensure the intended meaning is readily understood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may indicate continued

Similar to the original, but uses "may" instead of "could" for a slight variation in certainty.

might imply ongoing

Replaces "could mean continued" with a more concise expression indicating something is likely to persist.

may result in further

Suggests a potential consequence, specifically additional occurrences of something.

could lead to prolonged

Indicates the possibility of extending the duration of something.

might signify sustained

Implies a possible indication of something being maintained or upheld.

could entail further

Suggests a potential consequence where something else is involved.

might perpetuate further

Implies a possible continuation, particularly of negative consequences or issues.

could portend ongoing

Suggests that something could be a sign or warning of continued activity.

may foster prolonged

Indicates the possibility of encouraging or promoting something lasting longer.

might suggest persistent

Indicates a possibility that something is suggesting persistent or determined continuation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "could mean continued" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "might imply ongoing", "may result in further", or "could lead to prolonged" to make your writing more precise.

Is "could mean continued" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "could mean continued" appears in some sources, it's often seen as grammatically weak and lacks clarity. It's advisable to rephrase it for improved precision.

What does "could mean continued" imply?

The phrase "could mean continued" suggests a possible consequence involving the continuation of something. However, its vagueness often requires additional context to be fully understood.

When is it appropriate to use "could mean continued"?

It's generally better to avoid "could mean continued" in formal writing. In less formal contexts, ensure the surrounding text provides enough context to make the meaning clear. Consider more direct alternatives for improved clarity.