It’s very common to see “continued” written in a few different ways, like: cont., cont’d., and even the oddball con’t. And though they all look like they could work at first glance, not all of those are right, and using the wrong one can make your writing look unprofessional. So, let’s clear the air and figure out which abbreviation actually deserves a spot in your paper.
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Cont. or Cont’d: What Is the Correct Abbreviation of ‘Continued?’
Cont. is the correct, standard abbreviation because technically cont’d is a contraction —its apostrophe between t and d shows that some letters (the “i” and “u”) are missing. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use cont’d. This form is common in scripts, plays, and informal writing, where style and flow matter more than strict formality.
What’s the Key Difference?
The main difference between cont. and cont’d. is that the former is an abbreviation and the latter is a contraction. Another difference is when it is often used.
As mentioned earlier, cont’d is more common in informal writing, whereas ‘cont..’ is more prominent in formal contexts like business reports, academic writing, and reference tables.
Examples:
- Meeting notes, cont. on page 2
- Scene 3, cont’d.
Are Con’t and Contd Wrong?
Yes, con’t and contd are wrong.
Here’s why: con’t doesn’t follow any rule of abbreviation or contraction. So, there’s no logical reason to stick an apostrophe in between the letters n and t, and it doesn’t actually shorten “continued” in a grammatically valid way. It just looks like a typo.
As for contd (without the apostrophe or period), it’s incomplete. It skips the punctuation that signals it’s an abbreviation or contraction, which makes it look sloppy and unprofessional.
When to Abbreviate ‘Continued’?
Sometimes, space, tone, or format makes abbreviating continued more practical than spelling it out. But it’s not always the best choice. Keep these guidelines in mind:
- Use abbreviations when space is limited. For example, in tables or footnotes, where every character counts.
- Follow publication or style requirements. Some journals, newspapers, and formal documents have strict preferences for cont. over cont’d.
- Choose readability. If your document is already filled with abbreviations, using cont. or cont’d keeps things consistent and easy to scan.
When to Use Cont. or Con’td?
Here’s how to decide which one works best for your writing:
- Use Cont. for formal documents. It aligns with traditional style guides.
- Use Cont’d for casual or conversational contexts. The apostrophe shows omitted letters, making it feel a bit less formal.
- Never mix them within the same piece. Consistency matters more than which version you choose.
- Avoid abbreviations when confusion is possible. If the acronym might trip up your reader, write it out as continued.
Tip: Think about your audience. A legal document demands precision (cont.), while a flyer, email, or note might allow the shortcut (cont’d).
Final Thoughts
Now you know that choosing between cont. and cont’d isn’t complicated. Again, both are correct, but cont. is better for formal writing, whereas cont’d is more suitable for informal writing. Remember, whichever you use, be consistent!
