continuar a + Infinitive

Continue Doing

Level 4

Continuar a + Infinitive is the standard way to say someone 'keeps doing' or 'is still doing' something. It emphasizes that an action has not stopped.

How It Works

The pattern continuar a + infinitivo is a continuative aspect marker. It is used specifically to describe the persistence of an action (expressing 'still doing').

1. Structure:
To use this pattern, conjugate continuar to match the subject and tense, add the preposition a, and then the main verb in its infinitive form.
Example: Eu continuo a trabalhar. (I am still working).

2. Regional Differences:

  • European and African Portuguese: This is the standard way to express that an action is still in progress. Note that it differs from estar a + infinitivo, which is the general marker for 'is doing'.
  • Brazilian Portuguese (BP): While grammatically correct, it is often reserved for formal contexts. In daily speech, Brazilians prefer the gerund: continuo trabalhando. Brazilians also frequently use ficar + gerúndio to imply a persistent or repetitive action that might be annoying or unexpected.

3. Other Uses of Continuar:

  • With Adjectives: It can function as a linking verb to show a state hasn't changed (e.g., Ela continua feliz - She is still happy).
  • Negative Continuity: Use continuar sem + infinitivo to say you are 'still not' doing something (e.g., Continuo sem saber - I still don't know).

Examples (5)

  1. A criança continua a chorar.

    The child is still crying.

    Word by Word: The child continues to cry.

    Here, 'continua a' shows that the crying started previously and has not stopped.

  2. Continuamos a acreditar que tudo vai correr bem.

    We still believe everything will go well.

    Word by Word: We continue to believe that everything goes to run well.

    This shows a persistent state of belief or hope.

  3. Apesar da chuva, eles continuaram a trabalhar.

    Despite the rain, they kept on working.

    Word by Word: Despite of the rain, they continued to work.

    The use of the preterite 'continuaram' shows the action persisted throughout a specific past timeframe.

  4. O paciente continua doente.

    The patient is still sick.

    Word by Word: The patient continues sick.

    Continuar can also act as a linking verb with adjectives to show a persistent state.

  5. Eu continuo sem entender o problema.

    I still don't understand the problem.

    Word by Word: I continue without to understand the problem.

    Using 'sem' (without) expresses negative continuity—that something is still not happening.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the wrong preposition (de instead of a).

    Eu continuo de estudar.
    Eu continuo a estudar.

    Learners often confuse this with 'parar de' (to stop doing). 'Continuar' always requires 'a' before an infinitive.

  • Omitting the preposition entirely.

    Eles continuam trabalhar.
    Eles continuam a trabalhar.

    Unlike modal verbs like 'poder' or 'dever', 'continuar' must have the linker 'a' to connect to the infinitive.

  • Mixing the infinitive and gerund patterns.

    Continuo a estudando.
    Continuo a estudar.

    You must choose one: 'a + infinitive' or the gerund. You cannot use both 'a' and the '-ndo' ending together.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

continuar a + InfinitiveLevel 4Continue Doing

Learn This First

To use 'continuar a + infinitivo', you need to know how to conjugate regular -ar verbs like 'continuar' and understand how the preposition 'a' functions as a link to an infinitive verb to express the aspect of an ongoing action.

Words in This Pattern

continuar