looked set to continue

USAGE SUMMARY

"looked set to continue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that something was in the process of happening and likely to continue happening in the future. For example: The hot and muggy summer weather looked set to continue for the rest of the week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Mr Hollande at first looked set to continue this disengagement.

The Economist

As the talks looked set to continue into the night, many participants were saying that some progress had been made.

The Guardian

Before the ruling, Andrea Giorgetta from FIDH said the surge in lese majeste cases looked set to continue.

The Guardian

Stamford Bridge had been momentarily silenced, save for a small pocket, and José Mourinho's nightmare week looked set to continue.

The Guardian - Sport

The standoff looked set to continue into the weekend as the latest round of talks between local, regional and protest leaders ended on Monday afternoon without agreement.

The Guardian

Chris Maguire gave Kilmarnock a slender lead that their first-half performance barely deserved as the Buddies' dismal run looked set to continue at Rugby Park.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

That looks set to continue.

The Economist

The boom looks set to continue.

The Economist

The stormy divisions look set to continue.

The Economist

And the confusion looks set to continue.

The Economist

Yet the craze looks set to continue.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "looked set to continue" when you want to express that a situation or trend appeared very likely to persist or unfold as it had been.

Common error

While generally acceptable, "looked set to continue" might sound slightly informal in very formal or academic contexts. Consider more formal synonyms like "appeared likely to persist" or "seemed destined to continue" for such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looked set to continue" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating a high probability of an event or situation persisting based on current observations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looked set to continue" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that conveys a high probability of a situation or trend persisting. As per Ludwig AI, it is generally suitable for various contexts, with a slight preference for news and media writing. When writing in more formal settings, consider using alternative phrases like "seemed poised to proceed" or "appeared likely to persist". The analysis of source categories shows frequent usage in news, sports, and business contexts, with authoritative sources such as The Guardian and BBC employing the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seemed poised to proceed

Emphasizes readiness and forward motion.

appeared likely to persist

Highlights the probability of something enduring.

was on track to endure

Focuses on maintaining a course or state.

seemed destined to last

Implies a predetermined outcome of continuation.

was apt to go on

Suggests a natural tendency toward continuation.

gave every indication of lasting

Indicates continuation based on apparent signs.

presented all signs of ongoing

Stresses visible signals of continuation.

showed every prospect of continuing

Focuses on the potential for continuation.

hinted at a sustained course

Underscores a suggestion of a continuous path.

implied it would carry on

Implies a message of continuous action.

FAQs

How can I use "looked set to continue" in a sentence?

You can use "looked set to continue" to indicate that a situation or trend appeared very likely to persist or unfold as it had been. For example: "The economic recovery "looked set to continue" into the next quarter".

What are some alternatives to "looked set to continue"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "seemed poised to proceed", "appeared likely to persist", or "was on track to endure" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "looked set to continue" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "looked set to continue" is more suited for news articles and less formal writing. In academic papers or formal reports, consider using alternatives like "appeared likely to persist".

What does it mean when something "looked set to continue"?

It means that based on the available evidence and current trajectory, it was highly probable that a particular event, trend, or situation would persist or unfold in a predictable manner.