“Continue” has several related meanings, all emphasizing the extension or persistence of something:
1. To maintain without interruption:
- This meaning refers to carrying on an activity, process, or condition without stopping or pausing.
Sentence examples:
- The meeting continued for another hour.
- The rain continued throughout the night.
- He continued working even after everyone else had left.
2. To resume after an interruption:
- This meaning signifies restarting something that was previously paused or stopped.
Sentence examples:
- We’ll continue the game after lunch.
- The lecture will continue once the speaker returns.
- The doctor advised her to continue taking the medication after a brief break.
3. To remain in existence or persist:
- This meaning emphasizes the ongoing nature of something, often over a longer period.
Sentence examples:
- The tradition of family gatherings continues to this day.
- The conflict continued for several years.
- The memory of her kindness continues to inspire me.
4. To extend or stretch in space or time:
- This meaning focuses on the physical or temporal length of something continuing further.
Sentence examples:
- The road continues for miles ahead.
- The conversation continued well into the night.
- The project continued beyond its initial deadline.
Additional points:
- The specific meaning of “continue” depends on the context in which it is used.
- It can be used as a verb (“The presentation continued”) or an adjective (“continued efforts”).
- “Continue” often implies a sense of forward movement or progress.
Here are some combined examples showcasing different meanings:
- The hikers continued their journey despite the challenging terrain. (maintaining and extending)
- After a brief technical difficulty, the live stream continued as planned. (resuming)
- The legacy of the historical figure continues to influence modern society. (persisting)