How to spell continue
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
continue
C-O-N-T-I-N-U-E
The part to watch: it ends -ue. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
The end sounds like "you" but is spelt ue. It is easy to leave off the silent e.
Continue is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a silent e at the end. Each of these words ends in an e you do not hear. Remember to write it, and remember it drops before -ing or -ed: complete, completing, completed.
Common mistakes with continue
- Wrong: continuRight: continue
- Wrong: contineRight: continue
A way to remember it
Continue ends like blue, glue and true, with ue.
Continue in syllables
con · tin · ue
Continue has 3 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
We will continue the story after lunch.
Continue on the statutory list
Continue is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England. Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with continue, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a silent e at the end
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as continue.
More words
Questions parents ask
How do you spell continuing and continuous?
Drop the e of continue before a vowel ending: continuing, continued, continuous.
Spelling is one part of the picture
The free diagnostic checks maths, English and both kinds of reasoning, and shows what to practise next. No card is required.