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Sources say Rice will continue on to Islamabad Thursday to urge neighboring Pakistan to cooperate with India's investigation of the attacks.

From the context, this seems to mean that she, who is now in India, will go to Pakistan.

Is 'continue on to' is common to say that.

Or is something omitted?

Thanks.

EDIT: I posted it in the wrong section. Could you move this post into the General English Grammar section, Administrator?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

How about the whole thread?

The implication is that she's on the road, so to speak. She was travelling when she reached India, and she will "travel on" / "continue to travel" / "continue on" to Islamabad.

I remember Bobby Kennedy's famous [nearly] last words: "And now it's on to Chicago," just before he was shot in L. A.

- A.

Liveinjapan · Answer

Avangi"And now it's on to Chicago."

Thanks, Avangi.

If this means that a linking verb can take 'on to', the word 'continue' also can take 'on to'?

Is this a fixed expression?

Avangi · Answer

I don't know what the heck to call it. "To Chicago" is definitely a simple prepositional phrase. I think of "on" in these sentences as a shortening of "onward," which can actually stand alone as a command, or instruction, or direction. It's like "Forward ho the wagons!" "March!" "Charge!" "Halt!"

"Continue on to X" is fine. (I used it in my first post, as did you in your first post.)

But I meant to add that the "to" goes with the following noun to make a prepositional phrase. It doesn't go with the "on." So "continue on to" would not be the expression. A preposition may not be required. "as we continued on skyward." "Continue on westward." (imperative)

In this "continue on" group, the "on" might be considered optional, which makes it a bit different from Kennedy's usage, even though the "continuity of travel" is implied.

Liveinjapan · Answer

I understand how 'on' and 'to' work here.
Thanks, Avangi.

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