Cool MateContinue vs We have to be moving on
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Continue
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
We have to be moving on
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Continue
| Continue | We have to be moving on | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wiː hæv tə biː ˈmuːvɪŋ ɒn//🇺🇸 //wi hæv tə bi ˈmuːvɪŋ ɑn// |
| Meaning | To keep doing something without stopping. | We need to continue or leave. |
| Example | Please continue with your presentation after the break. | We have to be moving on to the next venue for the party. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | continue doing, continue with, continue on, continue to speak, continue until | have to be moving on soon, have to be moving on already, we have to be moving on quickly |
| 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) | Confused with 'move on' which can mean to progress emotionally., Using it too formally in casual conversations., Not using it when actually needing to leave or change topics. |
| 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. | Use this phrase to indicate the need to progress, typically in situations where time is limited or change is necessary. It's appropriate in various contexts, such as discussions, meetings, or social gatherings. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Continue vs We have to be moving on
What's the difference between Continue and We have to be moving on?
Continue: To keep doing something without stopping. We have to be moving on: We need to continue or leave.
Which is more common: Continue and We have to be moving 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. We have to be moving on: We have to be moving on to the next venue for the party.
Can I use Continue and We have to be moving on interchangeably?
Not always. Continue and We have to be moving 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.