---
title: 2.17 Valid and Invalid Use of break and continue
description: "The `break` and `continue` statements are used to control loop execution. Both are valid inside loops, but they cannot be used arbitrarily outside a loop or `switch` where the language permits them. ``` #include int main() { int i; for…"
url: "https://edcret.in/docs/c-programming/control-flow/2-17-valid-and-invalid-use-of-break-and-continue/"
updated: "2026-09-06"
category: C Programming / Control Flow
---

# 2.17 Valid and Invalid Use of break and continue

The `break` and `continue` statements are used to control loop execution. Both are valid inside loops, but they cannot be used arbitrarily outside a loop or `switch` where the language permits them.

```
#include <stdio.h>

int main()
{
    int i;

    for (i = 1; i <= 5; i++)
    {
        if (i == 3)
        {
            continue;
        }

        if (i == 5)
        {
            break;
        }

        printf("%d\n", i);
    }

    return 0;
}
```

### Example Output

```
1
2
4
```

### Explanation

When `i` is `3`, `continue` skips the remaining statements in the current iteration:

```
if (i == 3)
{
    continue;
}
```

Execution then proceeds with the next iteration of the `for` loop.

When `i` is `5`, `break` immediately terminates the loop:

```
if (i == 5)
{
    break;
}
```

Therefore, `5` is not printed.

Both statements are valid here because they occur inside a `for` loop.

An example such as this is invalid:

```
if (i == 3)
{
    break;
}
```

when the `if` statement is not contained within a loop or `switch`. A `break` statement must be within an enclosing iteration statement or `switch`. A `continue` statement must be within an enclosing iteration statement.