it could continue to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it could continue to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest the possibility of an ongoing action or state in the future. Example: "If the current trends persist, it could continue to impact the economy for years to come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If Facebook stopped growing its user baser, it could continue to generate increasing value by improving the relevance of its newsfeed through these learning effects.

TechCrunch

Rather it would do a bit of crystal-ball gazing about the future of the whole subject and, more practically, ask how it could continue to do its job as a benefactor of mankind.

The Economist

Plan A involved providing Athens with a bridging loan so that it could continue to meet its debt obligations, while at the same time insisting on draconian steps to cut Greece's budget deficit.

The Guardian - Opinion

It said a poison pill had been put in place to ensure it could continue to carry out its strategic plan.

The New York Times

In September, its auditor raised issues over whether it could continue to operate.

Huffington Post

Mr. Skinner said that the buyback campaign did little to address the main question for Apple: whether or not it could continue to generate revenue and improve its profit margin.

The New York Times

After filing for bankruptcy protection in June, G.M. said that it would pull out of Nummi, leaving Toyota to decide if it could continue to operate the plant on its own or with a new partner.

The New York Times

Alternatively, it could continue to take new business but dramatically increase its minimum opening balance to perhaps several thousand pounds, thereby excluding all but the most well-off.

The Guardian - Business

Another satellite venture, Orbcomm Global, filed a bankruptcy petition last Friday so that it could continue to negotiate a plan to convert some of its debt to equity to reduce its interest expenses.

The New York Times

"It could continue to be divided.

The New York Times

But Fulham has enough fight and enough ambition that it could continue to test Drogba's competitiveness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it could continue to" when indicating a plausible future development or the ongoing nature of a current state. Ensure the context clearly establishes what "it" refers to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid relying on "it could continue to" as a crutch for vague predictions. Support assertions with evidence or logical reasoning for more persuasive writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it could continue to" functions as a modal phrase, indicating a potential or possibility. Ludwig confirms its usability, supporting the idea that the phrase is suitable for expressing future actions or states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it could continue to" is a versatile and commonly used modal phrase for expressing the possibility of an action or state continuing in the future. As Ludwig confirms, its grammatical correctness and wide usage in various contexts make it a reliable choice for conveying uncertainty while suggesting a plausible future. It's frequently found in news, science, and business contexts, making it suitable for diverse writing styles. However, avoid overuse and support predictions with evidence for more persuasive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it might proceed to

Replaces "could" with "might", indicating a slightly lower probability of continuation.

it may go on to

Substitutes "could" with "may", suggesting possibility and the action of moving forward.

it can keep on

Uses "can" and "keep on" to express ability and continuous action.

it will potentially carry on

Emphasizes future possibility and continuation with "will potentially".

it is able to keep going

Focuses on the capability to persist, replacing "continue" with "keep going".

it is poised to endure

Implies a readiness to last, shifting the focus from action to sustained existence.

it has the capacity to perpetuate

Highlights the inherent ability to maintain itself, often in a more formal context.

it is designed to run on

Suggests a planned or intended continuation, common in technical contexts.

it promises to sustain itself

Indicates a likelihood of self-maintenance, emphasizing the prospective nature.

it is bound to extend itself

Expresses a high degree of certainty for continued existence or influence.

FAQs

How do I use "it could continue to" in a sentence?

Use "it could continue to" to express a possibility that something will persist or extend in the future. For example, "If we don't address climate change, "it could continue to" cause extreme weather events".

What are some alternatives to "it could continue to"?

Alternatives include "it might proceed to", "it may go on to", or "it can keep on", depending on the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

Is "it could continue to" formal or informal?

"It could continue to" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The surrounding language and the specific situation will determine the overall formality.

What's the difference between "it could continue to" and "it will continue to"?

"It could continue to" suggests a possibility, while "it will continue to" expresses a higher degree of certainty about the continuation. The choice depends on the evidence supporting the statement.