shall we continue

USAGE SUMMARY

"shall we continue" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that you and someone else continue doing something. For example: We have been talking about this issue for an hour, shall we continue?.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Shall we continue?

The Guardian - Opinion

Shall we continue this coversation in private?

The Guardian - Sport

How shall we continue to accomplish it?

The New York Times

Do you want to talk about it, shall we continue?

The New Yorker

When I was asked to give this talk to a roomful of aspiring writers, I had to confront the elephant-in-the-room question: How shall we continue to write in these numbing times?

The New Yorker

Allawi grunted, but he turned to me, gestured to the terrace, and said, in a businesslike way, "Shall we continue?" Allawi was anointed Iraq's leader in June, in a formal ceremony with Paul Bremer III, the outgoing administrator of the Coalition Provisional Authority.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Now let's get some color shall we?," she continued. .

Los Angeles Times

Now let's get some color shall we?," she continued.

Los Angeles Times

Mr. Blair, quoting from Al Jazeera's interview, said that Mr. bin Laden declared that "the battle has been moved inside America, and we shall continue until we win this battle, or die in the cause and meet our maker".

The New York Times

Mr. bin Laden went on, the dossier reported, saying, "The battle has been moved inside America, and we shall continue until we win this battle, or die in the cause and meet our maker".

The New York Times

"WE SHALL continue to lead the nation, responsibly and wisely," Ariel Sharon assured the Knesset on October 30th, after his Labour Party partners had walked out of his 20-month-old government of national unity.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When unsure, use a standard question mark ('?') at the end of "shall we continue" to ensure grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "shall we continue" too frequently in casual conversations. It can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "should we keep going?" or "want to continue?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shall we continue" functions as an interrogative clause, specifically a suggestion or invitation to proceed with an ongoing activity or discussion. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shall we continue" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase to suggest the continuation of an activity or discussion, as confirmed by Ludwig. While primarily used in neutral to formal contexts, its frequency is relatively uncommon. Ludwig's analysis shows it's often found in News & Media and Science. If a more informal tone is desired, alternatives such as "should we proceed" or "want to continue" may be more appropriate. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the formality of the setting and the relationship with the other person. Remember to always add a question mark at the end.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should we proceed

Replaces "continue" with "proceed", suggesting a move forward in the current action.

shall we move on

Suggests transitioning to the next part or phase of the current activity.

shall we carry on

Emphasizes the uninterrupted continuation of an activity.

shall we keep going

Focuses on maintaining momentum and not stopping.

shall we go ahead

Proposes moving forward with the next step or action.

shall we resume

Indicates a return to an activity after a pause or interruption.

shall we persevere

Suggests continuing despite difficulties or obstacles.

shall we push on

Implies effort and determination in continuing forward.

shall we not stop

Suggests not to stop until something is achieved

do we keep going

Asks whether we maintain momentum and not stopping

FAQs

What does "shall we continue" mean?

"Shall we continue" is a polite question that suggests resuming or proceeding with something that has already begun, such as a conversation, task, or activity. It invites the other person to agree to keep going.

When is it appropriate to use "shall we continue"?

It's appropriate in formal or semi-formal settings when you want to suggest continuing something in a polite and collaborative manner. It can be used in meetings, discussions, or when working on a project together.

Are there more casual alternatives to "shall we continue"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "should we proceed?", "shall we move on", or "shall we carry on" for a similar meaning but with a less formal tone.

How does "shall we continue" differ from "should we continue"?

"Shall" is traditionally used with "I" and "we" to form suggestions or offers, making "shall we continue" a slightly more formal way to propose continuing. "Should we continue" is also correct and widely used, but it can sometimes imply a need for advice or a judgment on whether continuing is the best course of action.