continuous
adjectivewithout any break or gap
Continuous: one unbroken line, from start to end.
Continual vs continuous
Picture a line. An unbroken line is continuous. A line of dashes is continual.
2 wordsaudio · quiz
Quick answer
Continuous usually means without a break. Continual usually means happening again and again, with pauses.
continual
adjectivehappening again and again, with pauses between
Continual: it keeps coming back, with gaps.
The difference at a glance
| Word | Type | Means | Example | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| continuous | adjective | without any break or gap | There was continuous rain from Monday to Friday. | |
| continual | adjective | happening again and again, with pauses between | I'm tired of your continual interruptions. |
See each one in a sentence
adjective
continuous
Examples
There was continuous rain from Monday to Friday.
The machine makes a continuous low hum.
Common mistake
Not: The machine produces a continual tone that never stops.
Say: The machine produces a continuous tone that never stops.
For one uninterrupted sound, use continuous.
adjective
continual
Examples
I'm tired of your continual interruptions.
The project suffered continual delays.
Common mistake
Not: I get continuous emails from him, one every few days.
Say: I get continual emails from him, one every few days.
Repeated events with gaps are continual.
Pick the right word
Fill the gap
Read the sentence, then choose the word that fits.
Now use them yourself
Write or say two sentences, one with each word, in a real conversation.