Cool MateContinue vs Move on
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Continue
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Move on
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Continue
| Continue | Move on | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈtɪnjuː/","/kənˈtɪnjuːz/","/kənˈtɪnjuːd/","/kənˈtɪnjuːɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //muːv ɒn//🇺🇸 //muːv ɑn// |
| Meaning | To keep doing something without stopping. | To start doing something new after something else has ended. |
| Example | Please continue with your presentation after the break. | After the breakup, it took her a while to move on. |
| 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 from the past, move on to bigger things, move on in life, move on after loss, move 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 out', which means to leave a place., Using 'move on' without a context of change., Incorrect verb tense (e.g., saying 'moved on to' instead of 'move on to'). |
| 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. | Used when transitioning from one phase or idea to another. Common in conversations about change, but less formal in professional settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Continue vs Move on
What's the difference between Continue and Move on?
Continue: To keep doing something without stopping. Move on: To start doing something new after something else has ended.
Which is more common: Continue and 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. Move on: After the breakup, it took her a while to move on.
Can I use Continue and Move on interchangeably?
Not always. Continue and 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.