In the realm of effective communication, precision is paramount. When space is limited, abbreviations serve as invaluable tools, enabling us to convey information succinctly without compromising clarity. Among the most commonly used abbreviations is “continued,” often encountered in academic papers, research articles, and official documents. Abbreviating “continued” not only saves space but also enhances the flow of text, eliminating unnecessary repetitions and maintaining a consistent style throughout the document. Understanding the proper abbreviation techniques for “continued” is essential for clear and concise writing.
The standard abbreviation for “continued” is “cont.,” which is commonly used at the end of a page or section to indicate that the text continues on the next page or section. This abbreviation is placed within parentheses or brackets to distinguish it from the main text. For example, at the bottom of a page that reads “The history of the ancient world (cont.),” the reader knows that the discussion of the ancient world will be continued on the following page. When the abbreviation “cont.” appears within a sentence, it is typically followed by a comma. For instance, “The report, cont., provides a comprehensive analysis of the data.”
In certain contexts, alternative abbreviations for “continued” may be encountered. In footnotes or endnotes, “ibid.” (short for the Latin phrase “ibidem,” meaning “in the same place”) is commonly used to indicate that the reference cited in the previous footnote or endnote is being continued on the current page. Additionally, in legal documents, the abbreviation “contd.” (without the period) is sometimes used in place of “cont.” to denote continuation. However, it is important to note that these alternative abbreviations are less commonly used and may not be universally recognized. For consistency and clarity in formal writing, it is generally recommended to adhere to the standard abbreviation “cont.”
Abbreviating Continued in Formal Writing
When writing formally in English, it is important to use appropriate abbreviations to avoid cluttering your text. The abbreviation for “continued” is “cont.,” and should be used at the bottom of a page or section of text that continues on the next page or section. Here are some guidelines for using “cont.” in formal writing:
- Use “cont.” at the bottom of a page that does not end a sentence.
- Do not use “cont.” at the bottom of a page that ends a sentence.
- Use “cont.” on the next page or section of text, after the heading.
- Do not use a period after “cont.” when it appears at the bottom of a page.
- Use a period after “cont.” when it appears on the next page or section of text.
For example, if you are writing a report and the first page ends in the middle of a sentence, you would write “cont.” at the bottom of the page. On the next page, you would write the heading for the next section and then continue the sentence after “cont.”. If the first page ends with a complete sentence, you would not use “cont.” at the bottom of the page.
| Example |
Correct |
Incorrect |
| Bottom of page 1: The company’s financial performance has been strong in recent years. |
cont. |
cont. |
| Bottom of page 1: The company’s financial performance has been strong in recent years. |
x |
cont. |
| Top of page 2: Financial Performance (cont.) |
cont. |
x |
Common Abbreviations for Continued
In writing, the word “continued” can be abbreviated in various ways, providing a concise and space-saving alternative. The following table lists some of the most common abbreviations for continued, along with their usage and general context:
| Abbreviation |
Usage |
Context |
| Cont. |
General abbreviation |
Widely used in both formal and informal writing |
| Con’t |
Contracted abbreviation |
Commonly used in informal settings or when saving space is critical |
| ¢ |
Symbol abbreviation |
Used in formal written agreements or legal documents |
| etc. |
Formal abbreviation |
Used when continuing a list of items that have been previously mentioned |
Using “Cont.” in Informal Settings
In informal settings, such as personal correspondence or online forums, the abbreviation “Cont.” can be used to indicate that a message, post, or comment is continued in a subsequent message, post, or comment. This is most commonly used when the original message exceeds the character limit or formatting constraints of the platform. When using “Cont.” in this context, it is important to ensure that:
- The first message or post clearly indicates that it is “To be continued.” or “Cont.”.
- The subsequent message or post has the same topic and is a direct continuation of the original.
- The abbreviation “Cont.” is placed at the end of the first message or post and at the beginning of the subsequent message or post.
Additionally, to improve the clarity and organization of a message or post that is continued in multiple parts, consider the following tips:
- Keep each part relatively short and focused on a specific topic.
- Use clear section headings or subheadings to separate different sections of the message or post.
- Include a brief summary or overview at the beginning of each part to remind the reader of the overall context.
Abbreviating “Continued” When Cited
When citing a source, especially an academic one, it is important to use the correct abbreviation for any terms or phrases that need to be shortened. For “continued,” the following abbreviations are acceptable:
These abbreviations can be used in any part of the citation, but they are most commonly found at the end of a citation.
Using “Continued” in a Subsequent Footnote or Endnote
In a subsequent footnote or endnote, the abbreviation “cont.” is used to indicate that the information is a continuation of the previous note. This is especially useful when the first note is long and the second note provides additional information or clarification. For example:
| Footnote 1 |
Footnote 2 |
| John Smith, “The History of the United States,” The American Historian, Vol. 10, No. 2 (2020): 1-20. |
Ibid., cont., p. 12. |
In this example, the second footnote is a continuation of the first footnote and provides additional information from the same source.
The abbreviation “cont.” should only be used when it is clear that the second footnote or endnote is a continuation of the previous one. If the second note is a new and independent idea, then it should be numbered or lettered separately.
Avoiding Unclear Abbreviations
The use of abbreviations can be beneficial when used correctly. However, there are instances when abbreviations can lead to confusion and misinterpretation, especially when they are unclear or have multiple meanings. To avoid such ambiguity, it is recommended to adhere to the following guidelines when abbreviating “continued”:
Guidelines for Abbreviating “Continued”
Here are some additional tips for avoiding unclear abbreviations:
- Avoid using abbreviations that may be unfamiliar to the reader.
- If an abbreviation is unfamiliar, define it upon first use.
- Use abbreviations consistently throughout the document.
- Use the abbreviation “cont’d” to indicate that something is continued or extended.
- Do not use “ctd” or other abbreviations that may be confused with “continued”.
| Abbreviation |
Usage |
| cont’d |
Indicates that something is continued or extended |
| ctd |
Not recommended as it may be confused with “continued” |
When Not to Abbreviate Continued
Formal Writing
In formal writing styles, such as academic or professional documents, it is generally considered more appropriate to spell out “continued” in full. This adds clarity and formality to the text.
Direct Citations
When quoting directly from a source, it is important to maintain the original formatting, including any abbreviations. Do not abbreviate “continued” in direct quotes, even if it appears abbreviated in the original source.
Limited Space
While conciseness is important, abbreviating “continued” may not be necessary if there is ample space on the page. Consider the overall readability and flow of the text before using the abbreviation.
Legal and Medical Documents
In legal or medical contexts, clarity and precision are paramount. It is strongly recommended to spell out “continued” in full to avoid any potential misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
Tables and Lists
In tables and lists, where space is often limited, abbreviating “continued” may be useful. However, ensure that the abbreviation is clear and not confusing to readers.
When the Continuation is Obvious
In certain situations, the continuation of text is immediately apparent to the reader. For example, if a paragraph or section is split across multiple pages or columns, it may not be necessary to abbreviate “continued” as the continuation is already indicated by the page break or column break.
When Not to Abbreviate Continued
| Situation |
Reason |
| Formal writing |
To maintain clarity and formality |
| Direct citations |
To preserve the original formatting |
| Limited space |
May not be necessary if there is ample space |
| Legal and medical documents |
For clarity and precision |
| Tables and lists |
When space is limited, abbreviation may be useful |
| When continuation is obvious |
Abbreviation may not be necessary |
Style Guide Guidelines for Abbreviating Continued
When abbreviating “continued” in English, there are several style guide guidelines to consider:
1. Choose the Appropriate Abbreviation
The most common abbreviations for “continued” are “cont.” and “contd.”.
2. Placement
The abbreviation should be placed at the end of the line where the continuation is indicated.
3. Capitalization
The abbreviation should be capitalized unless it falls within a sentence.
4. Punctuation
A period should be used after the abbreviation, except when it occurs at the end of a sentence.
5. Consistency
Use the same abbreviation consistently throughout a document or body of work.
6. Avoid Ambiguity
If the context is ambiguous, use the full word “continued” to avoid confusion.
7. Use in Tables and Lists
When using the abbreviation in tables or lists, consider the following:
| Scenario |
Use |
| Row or item continues to the next column |
“cont.” or “contd.” at the end of the row or item |
| Continuation of a heading or caption |
“cont.” or “contd.” at the end of the heading or caption |
| Multi-part list item |
“cont.” or “contd.” at the end of each part except the last |
How to Abbreviate Continued
In the English language, the word “continued” can be abbreviated in several ways. The most common abbreviation is “cont.,” which is used at the end of a line when the text continues on the next line. Other common abbreviations include “con’t” and “cont’d.”
Examples of Continued Abbreviation Usage
Newspapers
Newspapers often use the abbreviation “cont.” to save space. For example, the following headline from the New York Times uses the abbreviation “cont.”:
“Breaking News: President Trump Makes Statement on Economy; Cont. on A12”
Academic Writing
Academic writing also uses the abbreviation “cont.” to indicate that the text continues on the next page. For example, the following footnote from a scholarly article uses the abbreviation “cont.”:
“For a more detailed discussion of this topic, see Smith (2019, p. 10). Cont. on p. 12”
Legal Documents
Legal documents also use the abbreviation “cont.” to indicate that the text continues on the next page. For example, the following contract uses the abbreviation “cont.”:
“This Agreement is made and entered into this [Date] by and between [Party 1] and [Party 2]. Cont. on p. 2”
Business Documents
Business documents also use the abbreviation “cont.” to indicate that the text continues on the next page. For example, the following invoice uses the abbreviation “cont.”:
“Invoice No.: [Invoice Number]
Date: [Date]
Customer: [Customer Name]
Cont. on p. 2”
Personal Letters
In informal writing, such as personal letters, the abbreviation “cont.” can be used to indicate that the letter continues on the next page. However, it is more common to use the phrase “continued on next page” or “see next page” in this context.
Electronic Communications
In electronic communications, such as emails and text messages, the abbreviation “cont.” can be used to indicate that the message continues on the next line. However, it is more common to use the phrase “continued below” or “see below” in this context.
Additional Examples
The following table provides additional examples of “continued” abbreviation usage:
| Example |
Context |
| Cont. on p. 10 |
Academic Writing |
| Cont. below |
Electronic Communications |
| Cont’d on page 2 |
Business Documents |
| Cont. on next page |
Personal Letters |
Formal and Informal Abbreviations of Continued
Formal Abbreviations of Continued
In formal writing, the most common abbreviation for “continued” is “cont’d.” This abbreviation is used to indicate that a sentence, paragraph, or section of text is continued on the next page or line.
Informal Abbreviations of Continued
In informal writing, there are several different abbreviations that can be used for “continued.” These abbreviations include:
The abbreviation “cont.” is the most common informal abbreviation for “continued.” This abbreviation is typically used in handwritten notes, emails, and other informal forms of communication.
The abbreviation “continued” is also a common informal abbreviation for “continued.” This abbreviation is typically used in longer pieces of writing, such as articles, reports, and books.
The abbreviation “c” is the least common informal abbreviation for “continued.” This abbreviation is typically used in very informal forms of communication, such as text messages and social media posts.
Ensuring Clarity in Written Communication
Effective written communication requires clarity and precision. When information continues onto the next line or page, it’s crucial to abbreviate the word “continued” correctly to avoid confusion and maintain continuity.
Abbreviating Continued
The standard abbreviation for “continued” is “cont.” This abbreviation should be placed at the end of the incomplete line or page, followed by a comma. When the continuation appears on a new line or page, the abbreviation “cont.” should be repeated at the beginning of the line or page, followed by a period.
Example
Line 1: This is an important message.
Line 2: Cont., Line 3: We hope you will…
Line 1: Important information will be
Line 2: Cont. sent to you soon.
Exceptions
In some cases, it may be preferable to use the full word “continued” instead of the abbreviation:
- When the abbreviation “cont.” could be confused with other words or acronyms.
- When the text is very short and the abbreviation would not save significant space.
Consistency
It’s important to maintain consistency when abbreviating “continued” throughout a document. Stick to either the abbreviation “cont.” or the full word “continued” for clarity and readability.
Placement
The abbreviation “cont.” should always be placed at the end of an incomplete line or page and should never be used in the middle of a sentence.
Special Considerations
In formal writing, such as academic papers or legal documents, it’s generally preferable to use the full word “continued” instead of the abbreviation.
Table: Abbreviation Guidelines
| Situation |
Abbreviation/Word |
| Incomplete line, continued on next line |
Cont. |
| Incomplete page, continued on next page |
Cont. |
| Continuation on new line or page |
Cont. |
| Short text, no need for abbreviation |
Continued |
| Formal writing |
Continued |
How to Abbreviate Continued
The abbreviation for “continued” is “cont.” It is used to indicate that a piece of text or information continues on the next page or section. The abbreviation is typically placed at the end of a line or paragraph, and it may be followed by a comma.
For example, if a document is divided into multiple pages, the first page may end with the abbreviation “cont.” to indicate that the text continues on the second page. Similarly, if a paragraph is too long to fit on a single page, the abbreviation “cont.” may be used to indicate that the paragraph continues on the next page.
People Also Ask About How to Abbreviate Continued
How do you abbreviate continued on a resume?
The abbreviation “cont.” is not typically used on resumes. Instead, the word “continued” should be spelled out in full.
How do you abbreviate continued in a letter?
In a letter, the abbreviation “cont.” can be used to indicate that the letter continues on the next page. The abbreviation should be placed at the end of a line or paragraph, and it may be followed by a comma.
How do you abbreviate continued in an email?
In an email, the abbreviation “cont.” can be used to indicate that the email continues in the body of the message. The abbreviation should be placed at the end of the subject line, and it may be followed by a colon.
