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Grab The RSSContinue and “Continue on”
Ralph Mielcarek writes:
Please explain: Is the phrase CONTINUE ON — giving advice or instruction, considered redundant, or will CONTINUE suffice?
The phrase “continue on” generally triggers a blackboard moment for me.
I accept the use of the “on” in a statement such as
Talks continue on the topic of global warming
but I see no use for “on” for a statement such as
The children may continue on with their search for leaves.
The entry for continue on in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of English Usage acknowledges ongoing objections to the phrase:
A half dozen or more commentators from Ayres 1881 to Chambers 1985 have dismissed “continue on” as a redundancy, with the “on” considered (usually) superfluous. Ayres himself found the “on” to be “euphonious” in some expressions, but superfluous in others. Later commentators seem to have missed the euphony. One, however, Safire 1984, defends the expression when applied to travel.
The entry concludes:
If you are one of the few who use “continue on,” you may keep right on using it. And if you do not use it, of course, there is no reason to begin.
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7 Responses to “Continue and “Continue on””
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Is the phrase “continue on” discussed in the Mirriam-Webster entry you quote actually the same as that used in the sentence “Talks continue on the subject of global warming?” The “on” in that sentence serves a vital function: if you omit it the sentence makes sense, of a sort, but its meaning is quite different.
Like the “talks continue on the topic…” example, many of us commonly hear directions like “Continue on Main Street for 3 blocks” which probably reinforces the use of “continue on.”
Also, I wonder if the familiarity of “Carry on” also contributes to the use “on” even when not technically needed.
ApK
I don’t feel you need the second word on> It is redunant, not necessary and can complicate the work. Just keep it basic and simple. A word out of place is a disgrace, just remeber the less the best, save the best words for your writing material no matter whether it may be fiction, non-fiction ,etc.
This reads more fluidly, doesn’t disconnect you from the sentence.
“I have told you and told you you need to continue with your homework until it is done. There has been enough flack over your tardiness in regards to your assignments your teacher is always giving you.
–
“I have told you and told you you need to continue with your homework until it is done. There has been enough flack over your tardiness in regards to your assignments your teacher is always giving you.
–
Geesh! ‘Continue on’ would be the least of the problems with fluidity and jarring there….
@Kathryn
@ApK
I didn’t mean to imply that anything was wrong with the headline “Talks continue on the topic of global warming.” It illustrates a correct use of the word “on” to introduce a prepositional phrase: “on the topic of global warming.” Its juxtaposition with “continue” is coincidental. Ditto with the Main Street example.
Indeed. I meant to say I figure that since usages like “continue on the topic” and “continue on main street” are common, as is the use of “carry on” to mean “continue,” it seems that a superfluous “continue on” would turn up often.
Now, carry on.
ApK
I think ”continue on” can be used when one wants to describe an event rather than when one is talking about the act.