3 syllables: con, ti, nues. Stress on ti.
/kəˈntɪnjuz/
continues is pronounced /kəˈntɪnjuz/. It has three syllables (con-ti-nues), with the stress on "ti". Continues is the verb meaning to persist or carry on without stopping. In most contexts it describes something that keeps happening or existing over time, or to extend an action or event beyond a current point. The word typically appears in present tense or third-person singular forms, and can also function as a noun in certain compound phrases. It is often used in formal or written discourse as well as everyday speech.
Say it backContinues is the verb meaning to persist or carry on without stopping. In most contexts it describes something that keeps happening or existing over time, or to extend an action or event beyond a current point. The word typically appears in present tense or third-person singular forms, and can also function as a noun in certain compound phrases. It is often used in formal or written discourse as well as everyday speech.
"She continues to work on the project despite the challenges."
"The rain continues throughout the night, delaying the game."
"He continues his habit of running every morning."
Pronunciation is /kənˈtɪn.juːz/ in General American, and /kənˈtɪn.juːz/ in Received Pronunciation. The syllable boundary is con-tin-ues, with primary stress on the second syllable: /tɪn/. The final -ues sounds like -yuz (like 'youze'). Your mouth: start with a relaxed schwa, raise the tongue for the 'tin' vowel, keep lips neutral, and finish with a light, rounded 'yuz' (IPA /juːz/). Aim for a clean yod onset for the final syllable and clear articulation of the /z/.
Common errors include misplacing stress as con-TIN-ues, pronouncing the second syllable with a reduced or incorrect vowel, or gliding into too-strong an 's' at the end. Some learners say con-tin-ews (/ˈtɪn.juːz/ with a long /uː/), or split the word into four distinct parts. Correction: keep the stress on the second syllable and pronounce the final as /-juːz/ rather than /-juːz/ with extra length. Practice with minimal pairs and record yourself.
In US/UK/AU, the core is /kənˈtɪn.juːz/. The vowel in the stressed syllable is a lax /ɪ/ in /tɪn/. Rhoticity affects only the preceding schwa in some dialects; non-rhotic accents may slightly reduce the vowel quality before /n/. Final /z/ is voiced and clear in most accents. Australian English may have a more centralized vowel in some speakers, but the two-syllable rhythm and rhotic presence (or lack) does not drastically change, so the /kənˈtɪn.juːz/ core remains stable.
The difficulty lies in the two-syllable feet with secondary stress patterns and the final /z/ cluster transitioning from /juː/ to /z/. The -tinue- sequence requires a precise /t/ release, a smooth /ɪ/ vowel, and a fast, light /n/ before /juː/ and /z/. Learners often insert an extra syllable or misplace the stress, causing vowel reduction or a wobble on the /juː/ glide. Focus on the clean /n/ + /juː/ transition and final voiced /z/.
No; in standard pronunciation, all letters contribute to the sound. There is no silent letter in continues when used as a verb in present tense. You pronounce each segment /kənˈtɪn.juːz/: the initial 'con-' with a schwa, middle '-tin-' with a short i, and the ending '-ues' as /juːz/. Being aware of the final voiced /z/ helps avoid dropping it in rapid speech.
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Continues comes from the Latin verb continuare, which means to hold together or endure. The root contin- derives from con- (together) + tenere (to hold). In Latin, continuare would be formed to express the idea of staying together or keeping up. The Old French descendant of continuare was continuer, adopted into English with the sense of enduring or going on. By Middle English, continuen and continuer existed in related forms, gradually stabilizing into continues (third-person singular present) and the infinitive continue. The word shares its lineage with other -tinue- words such as maintenance and retention, where the core idea centers on continuity. The first recorded usage in English of the modern form continues appears in early modern English texts, reflecting both continuous action and ongoing progression. Over time, the pronunciation settled into two syllables with the stress pattern on the second syllable historically aligned with many English -tinue- verbs. In contemporary usage, continues is common in both spoken and written English and is particularly frequent in narrative or descriptive prose, where ongoing action or progression is emphasized.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "continues" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "continues"
-res sounds
-ues sounds
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