To Be Continued vs. To Be Continue – Which is Correct?
“To be continued” is the correct English phrase. It means that a story, television episode, film, speech, or discussion will continue later. “To be continue” is grammatically incorrect because “be” requires the past participle “continued” in this passive construction. Use “to be continued” in formal writing and everyday speech correctly.
To Be Continued or To Be Continue – Which Is Correct?
“To be continued” is correct, while “to be continue” is incorrect. The phrase “to be continued” uses the passive structure to be + past participle. Here, continued is the past participle of the verb continue.
“To be continue” is a common grammatical error caused by using the base form of the verb after be. The verb continue is correct when used actively, as in “The story will continue,” but the passive expression requires continued: “The story is to be continued.”
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the “be plus -ed” test. When the phrase means that something will be carried on later, use be + continued. The ending -ed signals the past participle needed in the passive construction.
Compare these examples: “The show will continue next week” is active, but “The show is to be continued next week” is passive. Remember: if you see to be before this phrase, choose continued, not continue.
| Word or Phrase | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| to be continued | Passive verb phrase | To continue at a later time | The exciting adventure is to be continued. |
| to be continue | Incorrect construction | Not standard English | Do not write: “The story is to be continue.” |
How to Use To Be Continued
To be continued is a fixed phrase used when a story, event, conversation, series, or explanation has ended temporarily but is expected to resume later. It is especially common at the end of a television episode, movie, comic-book installment, novel chapter, or serialized online story.
The phrase can function as a sentence by itself, often with an ellipsis or a dramatic visual presentation. It can also appear within a longer sentence. Its tone ranges from neutral to dramatic, depending on the context.
Example 1: The detective discovered the hidden letter, and the episode ended with the words, “To be continued.”
Example 2: Our discussion about the project is to be continued after the committee reviews the report.
Example 3: The author ended the chapter with a cliffhanger, promising that the adventure was to be continued.
Etymology of the Phrase To Be Continued
The phrase combines the infinitive marker to, the form of the verb be, and the past participle continued. Continue comes through French from Latin continuare, meaning “to join together” or “make continuous.” The passive construction developed naturally in English to describe something that will be carried on later.
Related Concepts
Understanding passive voice and verb forms makes the difference between to be continued and to be continue easy to recognize.
- Passive voice: In a passive construction, the subject receives the action. In “The story is to be continued,” the story receives the action of being continued.
- Past participle: A past participle is a verb form used in perfect and passive constructions. Continued is the past participle required after be in this phrase.
- Active voice: In an active sentence, the subject performs the action. For example, “The author will continue the story” uses the active form continue.
- Infinitive phrase: “To be continued” is an infinitive-based phrase containing to be followed by a past participle.
Examples from Media and Literature
The correct phrase appears in many forms of serialized storytelling and dramatic communication:
- Television episodes: A suspenseful episode may end with “To be continued” when the plot will resume in the next installment.
- Comic books: Serialized comics frequently use the phrase after a hero faces an unresolved danger or a major plot twist.
- Film franchises: A movie may use “To be continued” to signal that its story will continue in a sequel.
- Novels: Authors can use the phrase at the end of a chapter or volume to create anticipation for the next part of a narrative.
- Everyday conversations: Someone might say “To be continued” humorously after pausing a debate, personal story, or unfinished explanation.
To Be Continued Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| To resume later | To begin again at a future time |
| More to come | Additional events or information are expected |
| The story continues | The narrative is not finished |
| Coming next | Something will appear or happen later |
| Part two forthcoming | A second section or installment will be available later |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “to be continued” grammatically correct?
Yes. “To be continued” is grammatically correct and uses the passive structure to be + past participle.
Question 2: Why is “to be continue” incorrect?
“Continue” is the base form of the verb, but this construction requires the past participle continued after be. Therefore, the correct phrase is “to be continued.”
Question 3: Can “continued” be used without “to be”?
Yes. For example, “The discussion continued for another hour” is correct. However, when using the fixed phrase that signals an unfinished story or event, write “to be continued.”
Question 4: Should “to be continued” be capitalized?
Capitalize it when it appears as a title, screen message, or standalone closing phrase at the beginning of a sentence. In the middle of a sentence, use lowercase unless normal capitalization rules require otherwise.
Conclusion
“To be continued” is the correct phrase, and “to be continue” is a grammatical error. Use continue as the active verb, such as “The story will continue,” but use continued after to be in the passive phrase. Pro tip: Choosing the correct form in professional writing demonstrates attention to detail and protects your credibility.
