he continues to say

USAGE SUMMARY

"he continues to say" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that a person is continuing speaking even after a pause or interruption. For example, "John was giving his opinion when the phone rang. He paused for a moment, then he continues to say, 'I still think we should go ahead with the plan.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

He continues to say things he shouldn't say and think in ways that undermine him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Greenspan said in 1996 -- and he continues to say today -- that irrational exuberance might be driving up stock prices.

The New York Times

"You'll hear plenty from Mitt Romney as he continues to say anything to get elected," the memorandum from the D.N.C. said.

The New York Times

As long as he continues to say crazy shit, he will continue to dominate the news and will continue to attract crowds.

The Guardian - Books

Also, there is no denying the significant amount of upstate news media attention on Mr. Suozzi, who has never denied having gubernatorial ambitions, though he continues to say his priority is Nassau County.

The New York Times

Leyland has been asked repeatedly if the Tigers have been spooked by the significant expectations, and he continues to say that having grand expectations is a positive because that means Detroit has a good team.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"He continued to say 'we,' " Dr. Willis-Kennedy said.

The New York Times

Earlier, he continued to say he had not yet decided whether to run.

The New York Times

"It's chic of Miramax," he continued, "to say that they're independent when they're owned by Disney".

The New York Times

He continued to say it was time to move past the election and unite.

The Guardian

But he continued to say there was no cause for widespread alarm.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he continues to say" to show that someone is persisting with a particular statement or argument, particularly after an interruption or a change in topic.

Common error

While generally acceptable, overuse of "he continues to say" can sound repetitive. In formal writing, consider using synonyms like "he further stated" or "he added" to provide variety and maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he continues to say" functions as a reporting clause, used to introduce a statement that someone is making, often after a pause or interruption. As Ludwig AI highlights, it indicates the continuation of speech or thought.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he continues to say" is a common and grammatically correct way to report that someone is reiterating or expanding upon a statement. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for indicating the continuation of speech or thought, particularly after an interruption. While widely used in news and media, it maintains a neutral register. When seeking variety, consider alternatives like "he reiterates" or "he maintains". As Ludwig examples confirm the main usage context of "he continues to say" is neutral. While suitable for news reporting, it may be slightly less formal than alternatives like "he further stated", maintaining a balance between accessibility and professionalism. Remember to use this phrase to accurately convey the persistence or consistency of a person's viewpoint.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he carries on saying

Similar to the original phrase but with a slightly more informal tone, focusing on the continuation of speech.

he goes on to say

Indicates a progression in the speech or writing, introducing a new point after the previous one.

he adds

Simply indicates that the person is providing more information or details.

he proceeds to mention

Highlights the act of bringing something up, often after a previous topic.

he maintains

Highlights the consistency and steadfastness of the stated opinion or fact.

he further states

More formal way of saying someone is adding more information, emphasizing the official nature of the statement.

he reiterates

Focuses on the act of repeating a statement for emphasis or clarity, omitting the ongoing nature.

he notes

Draws attention to a specific point or observation that the person is making.

he insists

Emphasizes the firmness and persistence of the statement, rather than just the continuation.

he remarks

Suggests a casual or incidental comment, less formal than "he states".

FAQs

What does "he continues to say" imply?

The phrase "he continues to say" implies that a person is reiterating or expanding on a previous statement. It suggests persistence or emphasis on a particular point.

What can I use instead of "he continues to say"?

You can use alternatives like "he reiterates", "he maintains", or "he goes on to say" depending on the context.

Is "he continues to say" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "he continues to say" is generally acceptable, but in formal contexts, you might prefer more sophisticated alternatives such as "he further stated" or "he added".

How does "he continues to say" differ from "he said"?

"He said" simply reports a statement, while "he continues to say" implies that the statement is being repeated, elaborated on, or persists over time.