When you want to use the word ‘continued’ and then you want to abbreviate the word, you may be confused which one is the correct one between Cont’d or Cont. If we use the wrong abbreviation, it may lead to misunderstanding so that it is important to know the correct one.
The Correct Abbreviation for ‘Continued’
According to the Grammarly site, Cont. is the most commonly recommended abbreviation for ‘continued’. Furthermore, it is explained on the site Cont’d is also correct if you want to make the word ‘continued’ become shorter, but it is a contraction, rather than an abbreviation. And it is important for you to note that when you are writing ‘continued on next page’, you need to consider spelling out the full phrase instead of using a form which is shortened.
Furthermore, on Grammarly, it is explained that if you need to abbreviate the word ‘continue’, you need to write ‘cont.’ and if you use it as the abbreviation for ‘continued’, you will not get trouble in general use and maybe in academic or professional use. However, if you need to adhere to a specific style guide when you are writing, you have to check for the instructions.
On the Live XP site, it is explained that for cont., cont’d and con’t, some of them are not abbreviations. Words like ‘it is’ or ‘cannot’ have abbreviations that are created by removing letters and adding an apostrophe so that those become “it’s” and “can’t” and these are called contractions. On that site, it is explained that the official and recommended abbreviation for ‘continued’ is ‘cont.’ where it can be used for both general and business English or academic use. How about “cont’d”? According to the Live XP site, even though “cont’d” is not the official abbreviation for ‘continued’ or even an abbreviation, you are still able to use it. Actually, it is a contraction and it is usually used in journalistic writing and screenplays. Make sure that you do not use it in business or formal writing.
How about “con’t”? On the Live XP site, it is explained that it is not a contraction and it is not an abbreviation, too, so that it is better for you to avoid using it.
According to The Word Counter site, cont’d is a contraction and cont. is a truncation of the word. What is a truncation? It is a form of abbreviation that shortens the word to represent the whole word. Meanwhile, a contraction means a form that removes the middle letters of the word. The truncated version of continued, namely ‘cont.’ is the official abbreviation for the word where it can be used in business, legal and other official writing. Meanwhile, cont’d is the contracted version of the word ‘continued’ where it can be used in less formal writing.
Using the Abbreviation for ‘Continue’
According to the One Minute English site, here are some examples of how to use the abbreviation of ‘continue’ in a sentence.
- The game will be cont. after the rain delay ends.
- We will cont. to read the passage after we get back from lunch.
- The speech is cont’d on page 44.
- You can use the abbreviation at the end of a sentence (cont.).
The Root Word of ‘Continued’
As explained on the Word Counter site, the word ‘continued’ is derived from the Latin word ‘continuare’ and the meaning is to make continuous. This word is able to be used to mean an ongoing situation or a renewed effort after an interruption.
According to the Word Counter site, here are two examples of the word ‘continued’ in context.
- You can expect continued support from the company.
- The classes will be continued after the break.
In the first example, it implies uninterrupted support while in the second example, it refers to a resumption of activity or a continuation of the task after an interruption.
Here are the other examples of the word ‘continued’ in context according to The Word Counter site.
- I have endured continued hostility from you and your friends throughout the semester.
- They continued to blast the music loudly, even after I asked them to stop.
- Nelson Mandela was honored for being a peace loving human, and he modeled forgiveness for the greater good of his people. Story cont’d on page 20
- The Nobel Peace Prize winner has continued to attract worldwide attention.
- Can we put this project on hold, to be continued tomorrow?
- Music therapy has continued to be my favorite way of expressing my emotions, especially when I am overwhelmed.
- The continued pressure to make good grades in school made me feel ill.
The Meaning of ‘Continued’
According to the Dictionary site, here are the meanings of ‘continued’.
As an adjective
- Lasting or enduring without interruption:
For example: continued good health.
- Going on after an interruption; resuming:
For example: a continued TV series.
And here is the meaning of ‘continued’ according to the Cambridge Dictionary site.
As an adjective
- Still happening, existing, or done
For example: continued fighting in the city is causing great concern.
Synonyms for ‘Continued’
Here are synonyms for ‘continued’ according to The Saurus site.
| Endless
Extended Regular Repeated Stable Steady Unbroken Unceasing Uninterrupted Connected Consecutive |
Day-and-night
Everlasting Interminable Looped No end of No end to On a treadmill Perpetual Prolonged Timeless Undivided Unfaltering |
Antonyms for ‘Continued’
According to The Saurus site, here are the antonyms for ‘continued’.
| Broken
Discontinuous Imbalanced Intermittent Unfixed Unstable Unsteady Wobbly |
Ceasing
Completed Ending Finished Halting Interrupted Sporadic stopping |
The Meaning of ‘Continue’
Previously, I have given the meaning of ‘continued’ where it is an adjective. Now, how about “continued” or “continue” as a verb? According to the Dictionary site, here are the meanings of “continue” as a verb.
- To go on after suspension or interruption.
For example: the program continued after an intermission.
- To go on or keep on, as in some course or action; extend.
For example: the road continues for three miles.
- To last or endure.
For example: the strike continued for two months.
- To remain in a particular state or capacity.
For example: the general agreed to continue in command of the army.
- To remain in a place; abide; stay.
For example: let us continue in this house forever.
Verb (used with object), continued, continuing.
- To go on with or persist in:
For example: to continue an action.
- To carry on from the point of suspension or interruption.
For example: he continued the concert after the latecomers were seated.
- To extend from one point to another in space; prolong.
- To say in continuation.
- To cause to last or endure; maintain or retain, as in a position.
- To carry over, postpone, or adjourn; keep pending, as a legal proceeding.
