continuation

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The fact of something going on without stopping, or the act of keeping it going.

   Grammar: Usually uncountable, followed by of: the continuation of the project.

   Patterns

   • continuation of something
   • the continuation of talks

   The workers voted for continuation of the strike.

   Funding depends on the continuation of good weather.

   He argued for the continuation of the current policy.

2. 2nouncountable

   A part that carries on from an earlier part, such as a new section or sequel.

   Grammar: Countable: the novel is a continuation of her first book.

   Patterns

   • a continuation of something

   The second film is a continuation of the first story.

   The road is a continuation of the old trade route.

   Chapter ten reads as a direct continuation of the previous scene.

3. 3noununcountable

   The act of starting something again after a pause.

   Grammar: Used when the break is short: the continuation of the match after rain.

   Patterns

   • continuation of something after something

   The continuation of the match was delayed by rain.

   The judge ordered a continuation of the hearing next week.

   We expect a continuation of talks tomorrow morning.

Word forms

Common combinations

continuation of the story

The next episode is a continuation of the story.

seek continuation

The team sought continuation of the contract.

smooth continuation

The road offers a smooth continuation to the coast.

in continuation of

In continuation of our earlier letter, we enclose the report.

a direct continuation

The festival is a direct continuation of an old custom.

Synonyms and how they differ

extension

Extension suggests adding more length or time to something, whereas continuation suggests the same thing simply going on.

resumption

Resumption means starting again after a stop, but continuation can mean no stop at all.

persistence

Persistence implies something stays despite difficulty, while continuation is more neutral.

sequel

A sequel is a separate story that follows another, while a continuation may be a part of the same story.

Opposites

Word family

continue verb

to go on or carry on

continual adjective

happening again and again

continuous adjective

going on without a break

continuity noun

an unbroken connection over time

discontinuation noun

the act of stopping something

Commonly confused: continuation or continuity?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “continuation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words