Quirks of English

--for those who speak English as their second language or who just want to improve their writing

(Text-only version of Quirks of English)

Continual or Continuous

Continual means proceeding seemingly without interruption; an action frequently or closely repeated with little or no time between. The use of continual is restricted "to what occurs regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series." Continual denotes "a close and unbroken succession of things, rather than absolute continuity, but it implies repetition with occasional interruptions."¹

• In the Rockies, the snow is continual in December.
• Figure skating requires continual practice.
• Our website is active; expect continual changes, updates, and improvements.
• My toddler continually interrupted me while I was talking to my neighbor.

Continuous means "proceeding in space or time without interruption; unceasing, constant, protracted; extending without irregularity."¹ The use of continuous "denotes that the continuity or union of parts is absolute and uninterrupted."¹

• This software enables users to create and play continuous-loop animations.
• Continuous irradiation of the diamond CVD films by an electron beam results in the desorption of hydrogen from the surface and in the decrease in the SEE yield.
• The Wren Building at William and Mary University is the oldest academic structure in America in continuous classroom use.
• Some software offers continuous speech recognition over the telephone.

¹From Hypertext Webster Gateway: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) and WordNet 1.6.

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