it continued for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it continued for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the duration of an event or action that persisted over a certain period of time. Example: "The meeting was scheduled to last an hour, but it continued for nearly two hours due to the extensive discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It continued: "For what?

The Guardian

It continued for nearly 20 years.

The New York Times

But it continued for 45 minutes.

The New York Times

It continued for days on end.

The New York Times

It continued for almost three hours.

The New Yorker

It continued for the first six months following President Herbert Hoover's inauguration in January 1929.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It continued for centuries in battles over coal-shipping rights and levies.

The Economist

In fact, it continued for the next five decades, and there's still no end in sight.

The Guardian - Tech

It continued for three years until, having acquired UK residency, her husband left.

The Guardian

This usually had subsided by the following morning, although occasionally it continued for two or three days.

Yale University

Vulnerable to Berber desert raiders, it later declined, although it continued for centuries to be a centre of Coptic Christianity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or processes, use "it continued for" to clearly indicate the duration of the activity. For example, "The debate was intense, and "it continued for" three hours."

Common error

Avoid using "it continued for" when describing something that is permanently ongoing, as this implies a finite duration. Instead, use phrases like 'it has always been' or 'it remains' for permanent states.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it continued for" serves as a temporal marker, indicating the duration of an event or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. The phrase typically connects a subject (often an event or process) with a specific duration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it continued for" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate the duration of an event or action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When writing, remember to use it to describe finite durations and avoid applying it to permanent states. Alternatives like "it lasted for" or "it went on for" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in formality or emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it lasted for

Changes the verb to 'lasted', emphasizing the duration from a different perspective.

it went on for

Uses the phrasal verb 'went on' to indicate continuation, offering a more informal tone.

it persisted for

Replaces 'continued' with 'persisted', suggesting a more determined or stubborn continuation.

it stretched for

Implies that the duration was long or extended, adding a sense of length.

it extended for

Similar to 'stretched', but slightly more formal, highlighting the reach of the duration.

it carried on for

A phrasal verb alternative to 'continued', giving a slightly more conversational feel.

it proceeded for

A more formal synonym for 'continued', suitable for academic or professional contexts.

the duration was

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the 'duration' itself, providing a more objective tone.

it ran for

Commonly used to specify the time something was active.

it remained for

Emphasizes a state of being that was maintained.

FAQs

How can I use "it continued for" in a sentence?

Use "it continued for" to describe the duration of an event or action. For example: "The rain started in the morning and "it continued for" several hours."

What are some alternatives to "it continued for"?

You can use alternatives like "it lasted for", "it went on for", or "it persisted for" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "it continued for" and "it lasted for"?

While both phrases indicate duration, ""it continued for"" implies an ongoing action, whereas "it lasted for" simply specifies the total duration without emphasizing the ongoing nature.

Can I use "it continued for" to describe a permanent state?

No, ""it continued for"" should be used to describe events with a defined duration, not permanent states. For permanent states, use phrases like "it has always been" or "it remains".