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

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    テレビを見(み)続(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 (9 in total)

  • Trytytka

    Trytytka

    I got this question:

    Ongoing, Command
    まっすぐ見て、___！(歩く)
    Look straight, and continue walking !

    why is the answer 歩き続けなさい? I thought it’d be 歩き続きなさい.

  • IcyIceBear

    IcyIceBear

    because its つづける
    なさい attaches to verb stem, which with つづける being an ichidan, would become つづけ. resulting in 続けなさい

    you might be thinking of つづく which is its intransitive pair, as in 雨が続く

  • Trytytka

    Trytytka

    you might be thinking of つづく which is its intransitive pair, as in 雨が続く

    I was indeed, thank you!

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