continue

4 definitions • 14 examples

to keep happening, existing, or doing something, or to cause something or someone to do this:

[ + to infinitive ] It's said that as the boat went down the band continued to play.

[ + -ing verb ] If she continues drinking like that, I'll have to carry her home.

continue (with) Do you intend to continue (with) your studies?

If the rain continues, we'll have to cancel tonight's plans.

continue as Sally Palmer will be continuing as chairperson this autumn.

continue on/be continued on The article continues/is continued on page ten.

to start to do something again after a pause:

continue on After stopping for a quick drink, they continued on their way.

[ + -ing verb ] He paused for a moment to listen and then continued eating.

continue by The president continued by saying that his country was a free country and would always remain so.

[ + speech ] "I don't like your weather!" she shouted, "and I don't," she continued, "like your food!"

to keep happening or to keep doing something without stopping:

[ + to infinitive ] If it continues to rain, we may have to cancel the outdoor concert.

[ + to infinitive ] I will continue to say what I believe.

They continued hoping there would be additional survivors.

You can also continue to do something or continue doing something if you start to do it again after a pause:

[ T ] After a break for lunch, they continued their discussions.