Spoken Description

Guía clara de uso de Continuar vs Seguir en español: Continuar expresa continuar una acción sin interrupción; Seguir se usa tras una interrupción o para continuar siguiendo instrucciones y progresos. Ejemplos incluidos.

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Clear guide to using Continuar vs Seguir in Spanish: Continuar expresses continuing an action without interruption; Seguir is used after an interruption or to continue following instructions and progress. Examples included.

In Spanish, both continuar and seguir can express to continue, but they differ slightly in usage and nuance. This guide shows when to use each and highlights common expressions with examples.

Continuar

Continuar is more formal and often used in writing or speech to indicate that an action or process goes on without interruption. It can be followed by an infinitive, clause, or noun.

Usage

Use continuar when emphasizing the resumption or prolongation of an activity, especially in contexts like reports, instructions, or narratives. It sounds neutral and objective.

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Examples

Expressions

Presione '' para seguir con la aplicación.

Press 'Continue' to proceed with the app.

Complete with the correct verb: Presione '___' para seguir con la aplicación. (to continue)

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Continuar es más formal y se usa con frecuencia en escritura o en discursos para indicar que una acción o proceso continúa sin interrupciones. Puede ser seguido por un infinitivo, una oración o un sustantivo.

Seguir

Seguir is more common in everyday language and can add the sense of maintaining an action, habit, or state. It frequently appears in spoken Spanish and allows for more nuance.

Usage

Use seguir to highlight that someone remains doing something, to express that an action goes on, or to indicate that an expectation is still in place. It often conveys continuity with an implied attitude.

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Examples

Expressions

Presione '' para seguir con la aplicación.

Press 'Continue' to proceed with the app.

Complete with the correct verb: Presione '___' para seguir con la aplicación. (to continue)

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Seguir es más común en el lenguaje cotidiano y puede añadir la idea de mantener una acción, hábito o estado. Es frecuente en el español hablado y permite mayor matiz.

Key Differences

Continuar is slightly more formal and neutral, suitable for describing ongoing actions in a general sense. Seguir is more versatile and idiomatic, used both for literal continuation and for maintaining behaviors or conditions.

Summary

Use continuar for neutral, often formal continuation of activities and seguir for more natural, everyday expressions of continuing an action or state. Paying attention to set phrases will help you choose the better verb.

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