they continued

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they continued" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a subject is persisting in an action or behavior after a pause or interruption. Example: "After a brief discussion, they continued with their presentation, addressing the audience's questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They continued to drink.

The New York Times

They continued walking.

The New Yorker

They continued to enthuse.

Independent

So they continued to lobby.

The New York Times

But they continued to fire".

The New Yorker

They continued that form Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

They continued after her death.

Independent

They continued down the street.

The New Yorker

They continued the table read.

The New Yorker

"They continued to battle.

The New York Times - Sports

Afterwards, they continued rehearsing.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they continued" to clearly indicate the uninterrupted progression of an action or state, ensuring smooth narrative flow and avoiding ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid replacing "they continued" with synonyms that alter the intended meaning. For instance, using "they concluded" might imply termination rather than continuation of an activity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "they continued" is as a verb phrase indicating the past tense of an ongoing action performed by a group. It signifies that the subjects persisted or sustained a particular activity over a period of time. This is verified by Ludwig AI as being correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they continued" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the persistence of an action. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is correct and can be effectively used in various contexts. Most prominently featured in news and media, its neutral register makes it versatile across different types of writing. When employing "they continued", ensure that it accurately reflects the intended meaning of sustained action and consider contextually appropriate synonyms for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they carried on

Emphasizes the unbroken continuation of an activity, even amidst potential difficulties.

they proceeded

Suggests a more formal and structured continuation, often after an interruption or pause.

they went on

A general term for continuing, without specifying the nature of the activity.

they kept going

Implies perseverance and effort in maintaining the activity, often in the face of challenges.

they persisted

Highlights the determination to continue despite obstacles or resistance.

they resumed

Indicates a return to an activity after a temporary cessation.

they prolonged

Implies stretching something longer than expected.

they advanced

Suggests progress and movement forward in a more organized or strategic way.

they furthered

Suggests making something stronger.

they maintained

Focuses on keeping something at the same level.

FAQs

How can I use "they continued" in a sentence?

You can use "they continued" to show that a group persisted in an action. For example, "Despite the rain, "they continued" hiking up the mountain".

What are some alternatives to "they continued"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "they carried on", "they proceeded", or "they went on".

Is it correct to say "they continuing" instead of "they continued"?

While "they continuing" might be grammatically incorrect in many contexts, "they are continuing" is a valid present continuous form indicating an ongoing action.

What is the difference between "they continued" and "they concluded"?

"They continued" implies the action kept going, while "they concluded" suggests the action came to an end.