may continue to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may continue to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the possibility of an ongoing action or state in the future. Example: "If the project is approved, we may continue to develop the software as planned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The Nets may continue to grow.

The New York Times - Sports

It may continue to do so.

The New York Times

Still, pepper prices may continue to rise.

The Economist

That may continue to be the case.

The Washington Post

Migratory killer whales may continue to visit UK waters.

The Guardian

Subscriber revenue may continue to increase, as will subscription prices.

The Guardian

He may continue to train his team, though.

The Guardian

This suggests that poppy production may continue to drop.

The Economist

It is true that debt may continue to grow.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Further investment booms may continue to shrink China's trade surplus.

The New York Times

And it may continue to do so.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may continue to", ensure the context clearly indicates what action or state is expected to persist. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "may continue to" in overly passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Rewording to make the actor explicit often improves clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may continue to" functions as a modal verb phrase, indicating a possibility or likelihood of a future action or state. As Ludwig AI indicates, it suggests that something has the potential to persist or extend.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

48%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "may continue to" is a versatile modal verb phrase used to express the possibility of a future action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources underscores its suitability for both general and specialized communication. While alternatives like "might proceed to" or "could go on to" exist, they carry subtle differences in formality and emphasis. When using "may continue to", clarity is key, ensuring the context clearly indicates the action or state expected to persist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could go on to

Emphasizes the potential for further action or development.

might proceed to

Replaces "continue" with a more formal "proceed", suggesting a planned or orderly sequence.

may go forward with

Highlights the decision to advance or proceed with something.

could carry on

Similar to "keep on", but with a slightly stronger sense of continuation despite potential obstacles.

may extend to

Focuses on the expansion or reach of something over time or scope.

might keep on

A more informal alternative, implying persistence.

may persist in

Emphasizes a steadfast continuation, often despite difficulties or opposition.

might endure

Suggests a prolonged existence or survival, often in the face of challenges.

might last through

Focuses on the duration or length of the continuation.

could perpetuate

Implies a continuation that is self-sustaining or reinforces an existing state.

FAQs

How can I use "may continue to" in a sentence?

Use "may continue to" to indicate a possibility of something ongoing. For example, "If the current trend persists, prices "may continue to" rise".

What are some alternatives to "may continue to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "might proceed to", "could go on to", or "might keep on", depending on the context and desired nuance.

Is "may continue to" formal or informal?

"May continue to" is generally suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "might proceed to" might be preferred in highly formal writing.

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

"May continue to" indicates a possibility or likelihood, while "will continue to" expresses a higher degree of certainty. Use "may" when the outcome is not guaranteed, and "will" when it is more definite.