Continual / Continuous

Know Your Words

Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:

CONTINUAL / CONTINUOUS

The adjective continual means repetitive; steadily recurring, usually in rapid succession.  The adjective continuous means unbroken; without interruption. While continuous can be considered a synonym for continual, these finer distinctions are worth noting.

INCORRECT: The continuous telemarketing calls are beginning to annoy me.

CORRECT: The continual telemarketing calls are beginning to annoy me.

INCORRECT: After target shooting in a cave, I suffered continual ringing in my ear for ten days. 

CORRECT: After target shooting in a cave, I suffered continuous ringing in my ear for ten days.

 © 2018 Ann Henry. All Rights Reserved.

 

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