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title: "continue Statement (C++) | Microsoft Docs"
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---
# continue Statement (C++)
Forces transfer of control to the controlling expression of the smallest enclosing [do](../cpp/do-while-statement-cpp.md), [for](../cpp/for-statement-cpp.md), or [while](../cpp/while-statement-cpp.md) loop.  
  
## Syntax  
  
```  
continue;  
```  
  
## Remarks  
 Any remaining statements in the current iteration are not executed. The next iteration of the loop is determined as follows:  
  
-   In a `do` or `while` loop, the next iteration starts by reevaluating the controlling expression of the `do` or `while` statement.  
  
-   In a `for` loop (using the syntax `for`(`init-expr`; `cond-expr`; `loop-expr`)), the `loop-expr` clause is executed. Then the `cond-expr` clause is reevaluated and, depending on the result, the loop either ends or another iteration occurs.  
  
 The following example shows how the `continue` statement can be used to bypass sections of code and begin the next iteration of a loop.  
  
## Example  
  
```  
// continue_statement.cpp  
#include <stdio.h>  
int main()  
{  
    int i = 0;  
    do  
    {  
        i++;  
        printf_s("before the continue\n");  
        continue;  
        printf("after the continue, should never print\n");  
     } while (i < 3);  
  
     printf_s("after the do loop\n");  
}  
```  
  
```Output  
before the continue  
before the continue  
before the continue  
after the do loop  
```  
  
## See Also  
 [Jump Statements](../cpp/jump-statements-cpp.md)   
 [Keywords](../cpp/keywords-cpp.md)