“Continued” Abbreviation | The Correct Abbreviation for Continued – Cont. or Cont’d?

Last updated on December 17, 2024 by Emma Grace

What is the correct abbreviation for continued? Abbreviations are shortened versions of a word or phrase that helps in attaining a more concise text. They aim to uphold brevity to save time, effort, and space. Generally, abbreviations are considered informal. However, you may see them being used in academic writing. In informal writing, writers abbreviate words to make writing faster. Often times, it is used to shorten long and complex sentences for easy reading.

Some abbreviations may not be familiar to the readers. So, you’d have to spell it out first and introduce the shortened form inside a parenthesis beside the whole term. Another thing to note is the proper spelling of an abbreviation. Yes, even the shortened form has to be written correctly. That being said, this article shall focus on the word continued that apparently has two probable abbreviations: cont. and cont’d.

Continued Abbreviation: Cont. Or Cont’d?

Key Takeaways

Here’s what we understand about the common abbreviations for “continued”:

  • Abbreviations Explained: We can abbreviate “continued” in two ways: as “cont.” or “cont’d.” Both forms are correct and widely understood.
  • cont.: This is the more common of the two abbreviations, and it’s straightforward. We use it when we want to imply that a text or statement is to be continued, typically on another page.
  • cont’d: This variation includes an apostrophe and is technically a contraction, omitting the ‘ue’ end of “continued”. It’s less common, but still perfectly acceptable.
"Continued" Abbreviation
“Continued” Abbreviation – Created by 7ESL

Differences between Cont. and Cont’d 

Cont.

Most writers use cont. to abbreviate the term continued. In general use, it is acceptable. The cont. version is known as the truncated form. Truncation involves an actual shortening of the whole word. It is the official form of abbreviation accepted in legal, business, and other formal types of writing. It must be noted, however, that the period (.) after the word “cont” is always included.

Cont’d

Cont’d is another way to write continued in a contracted form. Contraction involves the omission of some middle letters of a word and substituting them with an apostrophe. The cont’d version is also correct, but it is not commonly used in formal or business writing. Instead, it is more preferred in screenplays and journalistic writing. In magazines and newspapers, writers tend to save space so that all information will fit on a page. Therefore, labels and indications are usually abbreviated.

Usage Tips

  • Use Cont. when adhering strictly to formal writing guidelines.
  • Choose Cont’d for a more casual tone or to mimic conversational shortcuts.

“Continued” Abbreviation Examples

Cont.

Business Materials

Cont. is often seen at the bottom of a page as an indication that the text continues onto the next page or a specific page written. It is usually used in industrial or business documents that have multiple written text.

Example:

cont. on page 90

Cont’d

Screenplays

An example of a material where these contracted forms are often used is in a screenplay. In this field, the word cont’d is a determiner for the actor that his character continues to speak after a pause. It is often placed at the top of the page or beside the name of the actor. This is done to manage scenes that extend to multiple pages. It can be written either in upper case or lower case.

Example:

Ben

I have to save my friends.

(He struggles to stand while having that determined face.)

Ben (CONT’D)

I will defeat you for their sake!

Magazines And Newspapers

Also, cont’d is the abbreviation that is usually used in magazines and newspapers to direct readers from one page to another for story completion. At the end part of an incomplete article, you can see cont’d on page 2, for example. This shall bring you to the continuation of the article found on page 2. However, the complete spelling of the word continued is also often used.

“Continued” Abbreviation Exercises

Fill in the Blank

  1. Please see the attached report for the financial summary, __________ on the next page.
  2. The list of attendees is __________ in Appendix A.
  3. The meeting was __________ due to the late hour and will resume tomorrow morning.
  4. The lecture series on modern art is to be __________ next Thursday.
  5. For further details on the policy changes, refer to the document __________ below.
  6. The discussion on climate change was __________ and will be a topic in our next newsletter.
  7. The chart illustrating the company’s growth is __________ on the following slide.
  8. The story was so engaging, I can’t wait to read the __________ part in the sequel.
  9. The historical timeline of events is __________ on the wall of the museum.
  10. The debate on the new bill is __________ and will reconvene after the recess.

Answers:

  1. continued (or cont’d)
  2. continued (or cont’d)
  3. continued (or cont’d)
  4. continued (or cont’d)
  5. continued (or cont’d)
  6. continued (or cont’d)
  7. continued (or cont’d)
  8. continued (or cont’d)
  9. continued (or cont’d)
  10. continued (or cont’d)

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the accepted abbreviations for “continued”?

  • Cont.: typically used in business or formal writing.
  • Cont’d: more common in informal contexts like journalism or screenplay writing.

Is “con’t” a correct abbreviation for “continued”?
No, “con’t” is not grammatically correct and should be avoided.

Should we always abbreviate “continued”?
Not necessarily. If space allows, it’s best to write the full word. Abbreviations are handy when space is limited such as in footnotes or continuation headers.

Can both forms of the abbreviation be used interchangeably?
While both forms are acceptable in different settings, it is essential to maintain consistency within the same document.

Does the abbreviation for “continued” require a period?
Yes, when using cont., always include a period at the end. The apostrophe in cont’d signifies the omission of letters, replacing the need for a period.

When should we avoid abbreviating “continued”?

  • If the abbreviation may cause confusion.
  • In very formal documents where the convention is to write words out in full.

How to Choose Between ‘Cont.‘ and ‘Cont’d‘?
Decide based on the context of your writing and the formality required. Remember to keep your reader in mind – clarity is key!

 

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