(eng): A continuous skew-symmetric bilinear (SSB) representation of preferences has recently been proposed in a topological vector space, assuming a weaker notion of convexity of preferences than in the classical (algebraic) case. Equipping a linear vector space with the so-called inductive linear topology, we derive the algebraic SSB representation on a topological basis, thus weakening\nthe convexity assumption. Such a unifying approach to SSB representation permits also to fully discuss the relationship of topological and algebraic axioms of continuity, and leads to a stronger existence result for a maximal element. By applying this theory to probability measures we show the existence of a maximal preferred measure for an infinite set of pure outcomes, thus generalizing all available existence theorems in this context.