Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 9: 10/16

続(つづ)ける

To continue

Structure

Verb［ます］+ 続ける

Details

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About つづける

By attaching the verb 続(つづ)ける 'to continue' to the conjunctive form of another verb, we will be able to express that '(A) is continuing'. Let's have a look at a few examples of this structure.
  • サリーは暗(くら)くなるまで走(はし)り続(つづ)ける。
    Sally will continue to run until it gets dark.
  • 私(わたし)は漢字(かんじ)を覚(おぼ)えるまで、同(おな)じ漢字(かんじ)を書(か)き続(つづ)ける。
    I will continue to write the same kanji until I memorize it.
Caution
There is a difference in nuance between connecting one verb to another verb through the conjunctive form, or through the use of the conjunction particle て. The former implies that '(A) is being done in the way of (B)', while the latter implies that '(A) is being done, and then (B)'.
  • 日本語(にほんご)は難(むずか)しいけど、勉強(べんきょう)を頑張(がんば)って続(つづ)ける。
    Japanese is difficult, but I will give it my best and continue with study. (Emphasis on the continuation of studying)
  • 日本語(にほんご)は難(むずか)しいけど、勉強(べんきょう)を頑張(がんば)り続(つづ)ける。
    Japanese is difficult, but I will continue giving it my best with study. (Emphasis on the continuation of giving it one's best)

Examples

  • テレビを見(み)つづけるつもりですか。

    Do you plan to continue to watch TV?

    • 文法(ぶんぽう)の間違(まちが)えを直(なお)し続(つづ)けてみたらどうだ？

      Why don't you try to continue to fix your grammar mistakes?

      • あの警察官(けいさつかん)は一時間(いちじかん)以上(いじょう)見回(みまわ)り続(つづ)けた。

        That police officer continued to patrol around for over one hour.

        • 大(おお)きい魚(さかな)を釣(つ)るまで釣(つ)り続(つづ)けます。

          I will continue to fish until I catch a big fish.

          • まっすぐ見(み)て、歩(ある)き続(つづ)けなさい！

            Look straight, and continue walking!

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            つづける – Grammar Discussion

            Most Recent Replies (6 in total)

            • simias

              simias

              I tried answering a review using the continuous form of ~続ける and it was rejected:

              Even if you give that dog a treat, it will continue to bark.

              My proposition:

              餌をあげても、その犬は鳴き続けているよ

              I realized after the fact that 続ける in itself already carries the “continuation” part so it would be redundant, but I wonder if there’s any situation where 続けている would make sense?

            • Fuga

              Fuga

              Hey @simias !

              The main reason 続けている was not accepted here is because the would change the meaning of the translation to ‘Even if you give that dog a treat, is is still continuing to bark’, because it is using a different tense then the first part of the sentence, and it sounds as unnatural in Japanese as it does in English.

              It would work if the sentence was さっきワンちゃんに餌をあげたのに、鳴き続けている。‘Even though I gave that dog a treat earlier, it is still barking (it ihas been continuously barking)’.

              I hope that makes sense!

            • simias

              simias

              It does! Greatly appreciated!

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