続ける【つづける】

The auxiliary verb つづける続ける (つづける) attaches to the masu-stem of a verb to express continuing or keeping on doing an action. It emphasizes that the action persists over a period of time without stopping.

Formation

Remove ます from the polite form of the verb and add つづける続ける:

• はしる走る → 走り → 走り続ける (to keep running)
• たべる食べる → 食べ → 食べ続ける (to keep eating)
• べんきょう勉強する → 勉強し → 勉強し続ける (to keep studying)

Basic usage

つづける続ける highlights that an action is sustained without interruption or that someone persists in doing something.

Expressing determination or effort

Because つづける続ける emphasizes persistence, it is used to describe dedication, effort, or endurance over time.

Conjugation

Since つづける続ける is a regular る-verb (ichidan verb), it conjugates normally:

• Non-past polite: 読み続けます
• Past: 読み続けた
• て-form: 読み続けて
• Negative: 読み続けない

続ける vs. ～ている

While 〜～ている describes an action in progress at a point in time, つづける続ける emphasizes the persistence or continuation of the action. Compare: