Cool MateContinue vs Let's just move on
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Continue
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Let's just move on
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Continue
| Continue | Let's just move on | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //lɛts dʒʌst muːv ɒn//🇺🇸 //lɛts dʒʌst muːv ɑn// |
| Meaning | To keep doing something without stopping. | Let's go to the next topic or idea. |
| Example | Please continue with your presentation after the break. | After the dispute, she said, 'Let's just move on to our next agenda item.' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | continue doing, continue with, continue on, continue to speak, continue until | move on to the next point, move on from the past, quickly move on, politely move on, easily move on |
| Antonyms | stop, cease, halt | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Continue' followed by a noun instead of a gerund (e.g., 'continue the project' instead of 'continue doing the project'), Confusing 'continue' with 'resume' — 'resume' implies starting again after a pause, Using 'continue to' followed by an adjective (incorrect) instead of a verb (correct) | Using it in a serious context where it's inappropriate., Confusing it with 'move forward' which means to progress instead of transition., Not using it when a discussion is dragging on. |
| Usage notes | Use 'continue' when talking about ongoing actions or processes. It's neutral, so it's appropriate in most contexts, but can sound too formal in casual conversations. Avoid using in contexts where you're suggesting to start something new. | Commonly used in conversations to indicate a change of subject. Suitable for both casual and formal settings, but avoid in very serious discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Continue vs Let's just move on
What's the difference between Continue and Let's just move on?
Continue: To keep doing something without stopping. Let's just move on: Let's go to the next topic or idea.
Which is more common: Continue and Let's just move on?
Continue is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Continue: Please continue with your presentation after the break. Let's just move on: After the dispute, she said, 'Let's just move on to our next agenda item.'
Can I use Continue and Let's just move on interchangeably?
Not always. Continue and Let's just move on are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.