if this continues

USAGE SUMMARY

"if this continues" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that something might persist or happen in the future. For example: If this continues, I'm worried that we won't be able to catch up on our work before the deadline.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If this continues on..

Princeton University

If this continues, nature will die".

The New York Times - Magazine

"If this continues, they really should investigate".

The Economist

If this continues, so will market jitters.

The Economist

If this continues it will get worse".

The New York Times

"If this continues, we'll have another war".

The New Yorker

If this continues, the future is really dark.

The New York Times - Science

If this continues it could mean cheaper flights and petrol.

Independent

If this continues, we will start to kidnap Pakistani officials".

The New York Times

"If this continues then no one should play against Brazil.

The Guardian - Sport

"If this continues," she said, "we're in big trouble".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "if this continues", ensure the 'this' clearly refers to a previously mentioned situation or trend to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "if this continues" without a clear antecedent. Always make sure the 'this' has an obvious referent in the preceding text. If the referent is unclear, rewrite the sentence to specify what is continuing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if this continues" functions as an adverbial clause of condition. It introduces a condition upon which the main clause depends. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "if this continues" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a conditional scenario where an existing situation persists, leading to a specific outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources, but is applicable across various registers. When using the phrase, ensure that the 'this' clearly refers to a previously mentioned situation to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "if this persists" or "should this continue" can add subtle nuances to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if this persists

Replaces 'continues' with 'persists', indicating a slightly more negative or unwanted continuation.

should this continue

Adds a layer of formality and hypotheticality compared to the original phrase.

if this trend continues

Specifies that it's a trend that is continuing, adding more clarity.

assuming this continues

Highlights the assumption that the described action will keep happening.

if the current situation persists

Substitutes 'this' with a more descriptive 'the current situation'.

in the event that this continues

Introduces a more formal tone, suitable for official or legal contexts.

if this development continues

Focuses on a specific 'development' as the subject of continuation.

if the situation doesn't change

Offers a converse perspective, highlighting the lack of alteration.

so long as this continues

Emphasizes the duration of the condition, adding a sense of time.

on the condition that this continues

Highlights that something depends specifically upon the continuation of 'this'.

FAQs

How can I use "if this continues" in a sentence?

Use "if this continues" to express a condition and its potential consequence. For example: "If this continues, we will need to re-evaluate our strategy".

What are some alternatives to "if this continues"?

You can use phrases like "if this persists", "should this continue", or "assuming this continues" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "if this continues"?

Yes, "if this continues" is grammatically correct and widely used in English. It follows standard conditional sentence structure.

What does "if this continues" imply?

It implies a hypothetical scenario where a present action or situation persists, leading to a specific outcome. The outcome can be either positive or negative, depending on the context.