we continued to

USAGE SUMMARY

'we continued to' is a perfectly correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to indicate that a previous action or state of affairs has been ongoing. For example: "We continued to drive down the highway as the sun set in the sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We continued to brainstorm.

The New Yorker

We continued to write.

The Guardian - Books

We continued to wait.

The New York Times

We continued to grope through the blackness.

The New Yorker

We continued to the east.

The New York Times - Sports

Strangely, we continued to meet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We continued to champion it.

The Guardian - Film

We continued to stay hungry".

The New York Times - Sports

Still, we continued to negotiate.

The Guardian

So we continued to wait.

The Guardian

"We continued to support him.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we continued to", make sure the context is clear regarding what action or state is being continued. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient information.

Common error

Avoid using "we continued to" excessively in simple narratives where the continuation is already implied. Vary your language with synonyms like "we proceeded" or "we went on" for a more engaging writing style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we continued to" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the ongoing nature of an action. It emphasizes that a previous action or state persisted over a period of time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Academia

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we continued to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates the continuation of an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is perfectly acceptable in English writing. It is commonly found in news, academic and scientific contexts. While its formality is neutral, it's best to avoid overuse in simple narratives and vary the language when possible. When writing, use "we continued to" to emphasize persistence, ensure clarity in what action is being continued and consider alternative phrasings like "we proceeded to" for more engaging writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we proceeded to

Replaces "continued" with "proceeded", emphasizing the forward movement in the action.

we went on to

Uses "went on" instead of "continued", highlighting the sequential nature of the actions.

we kept on

Employs the phrasal verb "kept on" for a slightly more informal tone.

we persisted in

Replaces "continued" with "persisted", stressing determination despite obstacles.

we carried on with

Uses "carried on with" to emphasize the continuation of an activity or task.

we maintained

Replaces "continued to" with "maintained", suggesting the upholding of a certain state or action.

we resumed

Uses "resumed" to indicate the restarting of an action after an interruption.

we advanced to

Replaces "continued" with "advanced", highlighting progress and forward movement.

we prolonged

Uses "prolonged" to indicate the extension of something in time.

we furthered

Replaces "continued" with "furthered", emphasizing the advancement or promotion of something.

FAQs

How can I use "we continued to" in a sentence?

Use "we continued to" to show that an action or state persisted over time. For example, "Despite the challenges, "we continued to" work on the project" indicates that the work didn't stop despite difficulties.

What are some alternatives to "we continued to"?

You can use phrases like "we proceeded to", "we went on to", or "we kept on" as alternatives to "we continued to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different emphasis on the continuation of the action.

Is it always necessary to include "to" after "we continued"?

Yes, "to" is essential when using "we continued" to express an ongoing action. Omitting "to" would change the grammatical structure and meaning of the sentence. Consider these alternatives instead: "We continued the work" or "we continued working".

When is it better to use "we proceeded" instead of "we continued to"?

"We proceeded" is best used when emphasizing a forward movement or a logical sequence of actions, whereas "we continued to" simply emphasizes the ongoing nature of an action. For example, use "we proceeded" when describing steps in a process.