How do you abbreviate “continued”?
The article is continued on page 10, cont. (This is the most widely accepted abbreviation, requiring a period.)
The meeting was cont’d after lunch.
Please refer to page 5, cont for further details.
The narrative will be contd in the next chapter.
Abbreviations can be tricky, especially when there’s more than one correct way to abbreviate them. Such is the case with the abbreviation for continued, which accepts both cont. and cont’d as short forms. There are still differences between these abbreviations of continued, and it may be more accepted to opt for one form (depending on the style guide you consult).
Are “contd.” or “cont’d” correct to abbreviate continued?
For the most part, if you need to abbreviate continued, it is correct to write ‘cont’ with a period following it. This is the recommended abbreviation according to the majority of style guides, including the Chicago Manual of Style. Still, it’s always good practice to follow the specific style guide that applies in your case.
For **Cont’d**, remember the apostrophe replaces missing letters like in contractions. **Cont.** just uses a period.
Which is it: cont. or cont’d.?
Both abbreviations “cont.” and “cont’d” are accepted and correct abbreviations for continued. Most readers will understand what’s written with either short form. That said, the way these abbreviations work is slightly different. Cont’d, with the apostrophe ‘d’ is a contracted form of continued: it omits the ‘ue’ from the word and so it ends with ‘d’. Cont. with the period is a truncated abbreviated form: it simply cuts off the end of the word continued, leaving you with the ‘t’ and a period to indicate a full-stop. Importantly, if you do use ‘cont’d’, make sure to include the apostrophe, since technically this form is a contraction of the word continued.
When would you write cont.?
Though less common in modern writing (especially in digital formats with fewer page breaks), the abbreviation “cont.” indicates that something is being continued from a previous point or page. You can include cont. in longer articles, or writing with multiple sections to clarify where to keep reading on a specific point or topic (if the topic is expanded on further in the document).
Likewise, in letters or emails where there is a next page and it needs to be made clear that the information continues there, it can be included. The same applies for books, manuscripts, or any piece of writing where it might be unclear to the reader whether the writing continues.
Examples of cont. in writing
In a document or report with multiple sections:
For more information about the topic, please refer to the cont. section on page 15.
In a list of items that continues onto the next page:
The conference schedule is as follows:
Opening Keynote
Workshop on AI
Lunch break
cont.
In an article or academic paper with footnotes:
Smith, J. (2023). The Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity. Environmental Studies Journal, 45(3), 231-245. doi:10.xxxx …
See cont. for additional references.
In a letter or email that continues on a new page:
Thank you for your inquiry. As mentioned in the previous email, we are pleased to offer you the following options for your upcoming event:
1. Venue rental options
2. Catering packages
cont.
Work Sheet
According to the post, which abbreviation for “continued” always requires a period?
Which accepted abbreviation for “continued” uses an apostrophe to indicate omitted letters?
What does the apostrophe in ‘cont’d’ indicate, according to the post?
According to the post, which abbreviation is generally considered more widely accepted by style guides?
Which of the following forms is explicitly stated as incorrect in the post?
The blog post lists two accepted abbreviations for “continued”: _____ and cont’d.
The abbreviation “cont.” is described as a _____ abbreviated form.
The abbreviation “cont’d” is described as a _____ abbreviated form.
According to a usage note example, the article is continued on page 10, _____.
The apostrophe is necessary to indicate _____ in the abbreviation “cont’d.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are accepted abbreviations?
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Which continued abbreviation is preferred?
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What’s difference: cont. or cont’d?
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Does “cont.” need a period?
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Does “cont’d” need an apostrophe?
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Yash, D. "How Do You Abbreviate Continued? Cont. or Cont’d?." Grammarflex, Jun 17, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/how-do-you-abbreviate-continued-cont-or-contd/.
