Perpetually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Perpetually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurs continuously or without interruption over time. Example: "The city is perpetually bustling with activity, day and night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

David Mitchell, the perpetually mildly annoyed UK comedian and writer, thinks about a perpetual furniture company that won't squander resources by making cheap furniture from "MDF and hope".

The Guardian

That maybe true, but this after all is motorsport – a world that perpetually trails so far behind the zeitgeist, it should by rights have been swept up by the broom wagon decades ago.

The Guardian - Sport

We follow him to the strange, perpetually dark city of Unthank, a bleak dystopia where strange diseases abound and hospitals filter their patients between those they cure and those they send off to provide fuel and power.

The Guardian - Books

They've retorted with a bold poster campaign: "Steven Holl's perpetually blank canvas: who are we preserving this space for?" However the famous library is rebuilt, will it ever be more than a shrine to the ghost of Mackintosh?

The Guardian - Arts

Without getting bogged down in relativity, I now realise that happy place is perpetually beyond my reach.

The Guardian - Sport

In order to make the argument for such a social contract persuasive, Hobbes portrays a dangerous world filled with unknown enemies perpetually striving to murder one's family and destroy one's property, a nation filled with untrustworthy neighbours, isolated individuals who live in fear of each other, and only the power of the state to protect society from the evils inherent in human nature.

The Guardian - Opinion

Perhaps it was because everyone in Leeds is perpetually furious, or perhaps it was the fact that for once they didn't have to also aim their questions at self-promoting newspaper columnists and above-their-stations comedians, but this lot operated on an incomprehensibly high baseline of fury.

The Guardian

After all, one of the enduring memories of the original trilogy is a small robot who speaks in a series of mechanical bleeps that are then translated for the audience by a perpetually flustered English-accented android.

The Guardian - Sport

Everyone – and I mean everyone – seemed to be perpetually tapping and swiping in silence.

The Guardian - Travel

With room for gigs, exhibitions, book launches, parties, film and debates touching on hot topics such as the uneasy relationship between politics and art, W139 is perpetually in motion, frequented by skinny-trousered hipsters, bespectacled geeks and paint-spattered freaks alike.

The Guardian - Travel

What Sarkeesian lacks in charisma she makes up for in tenacity, as she piles on the charges against such bleak video game staples as the perpetually terrorised damsel in distress.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "perpetually" to describe actions or states that continue indefinitely or seem never to end. It adds a sense of permanence to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "perpetually" for actions that occur within a limited or short timeframe; it's best suited for ongoing, continuous situations. Use words like "frequently" or "regularly" when talking about temporary or non-continuous scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "perpetually" functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that an action or state occurs continuously and without interruption. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its use in describing ongoing situations or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "perpetually" functions as an adverb indicating continuous, never-ending action or states. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide usability, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. It is essential to use "perpetually" to highlight permanence, avoiding overuse in short timeframes. Consider alternatives like "constantly" or "incessantly" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Constantly

Emphasizes the regular and frequent occurrence of something.

Incessantly

Highlights the uninterrupted and often annoying nature of the action.

Continually

Suggests a repeated sequence of events with possible interruptions.

Always

Indicates that something happens at all times or on every occasion.

Endlessly

Focuses on the seemingly limitless duration of the action.

Forever

Implies an indefinite and very long period of time.

Eternally

Conveys an everlasting or timeless quality.

Unceasingly

Stresses the lack of cessation or stopping.

Invariably

Indicates that something always happens in the same way.

Persistently

Highlights the repeated nature of an action, often despite obstacles.

FAQs

How to use "perpetually" in a sentence?

Use "perpetually" to describe something that occurs continuously or without interruption. For example, "The fountain is "perpetually" flowing", indicating it never stops.

What can I say instead of "perpetually"?

You can use alternatives like "constantly", "incessantly", or "continually" depending on the context. Each word provides a slightly different nuance to continuous action.

Which is correct, "perpetually dark" or "continually dark"?

"Perpetually dark" suggests a state that never changes, while "continually dark" implies it is dark most of the time with possible exceptions. The better choice depends on whether the darkness is seen as permanent or merely frequent.

What's the difference between "perpetually" and "eternally"?

"Perpetually" emphasizes a continuous or seemingly endless duration of an action or state. "Eternally" conveys an everlasting or timeless quality, often implying a more profound or spiritual dimension.