a continual basis

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a continual basis" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action or process that occurs repeatedly over time without interruption. Example: "We conduct quality checks on our products on a continual basis to ensure they meet our standards."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reviews are published on a continual basis.

Stanford University

But our commitment to making the best gameplay experience on a continual basis is there.

The Guardian - Tech

Now, IT and R&D must integrate their activities on a continual basis.

Harvard Business Review

(i) Applications for participation will be accepted on a continual basis at local USDA Service Centers.

Cornell University

Applications are accepted on a continual basis, and are held for the next round of funding.

Cornell University

"People were coming along seeing the queue and coming back on a continual basis," said one man.

The Guardian

"You see the guy down on the ground, being gratuitously kicked, on a continual basis, by more than one police officer.

The New York Times

Mr. Sheehan said two of the commission's inspectors were at Oyster Creek, observing operations on a continual basis, as they do at all nuclear power plants.

The New York Times

"The Egyptians take security very seriously but we have to assess the situation on a continual basis," said the defense official.

The New York Times

"We're going to have F.B.I. guys there on a continual basis, not just coming in for two weeks and leaving, but stationed there," she explained.

The New York Times

They claimed people were returning on a "continual basis" because of long queues but returned to find it was still there.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a continual basis" when you want to emphasize the ongoing and repeated nature of an action or process. It is suitable for formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "a continual basis" when you mean something happens constantly without any breaks at all. If you want to express that an action is truly non-stop, consider using "a continuous basis" or simply "continuously".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a continual basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate how frequently or regularly an action occurs. Ludwig's examples showcase its versatility in describing repeated actions or processes across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

2.5%

Reference

2.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a continual basis" is a common adverbial phrase used to express the recurring nature of an event or action. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. It’s important to note the distinction between "continual" and "continuous"; while often used interchangeably, "continual" implies repetition with possible intervals, whereas "continuous" denotes an uninterrupted state. As demonstrated by Ludwig's numerous examples, this versatile phrase frequently appears in news, academic, and business settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on a regular basis

Emphasizes the scheduled or expected nature of the repetition, whereas "a continual basis" highlights the uninterrupted sequence.

on an ongoing basis

Focuses on the continuous nature of the action, similar to "a continual basis", but may imply less strict repetition.

continuously

A single-word adverb that conveys the uninterrupted nature of an action, offering a more concise alternative.

constantly

Similar to "continually", but it can sometimes imply a sense of annoyance or persistence.

perpetually

Suggests an endless or seemingly permanent repetition, indicating a more extreme level of continuity.

incessantly

Implies a relentless and often undesirable level of continuity or repetition.

without interruption

Highlights the lack of pauses or breaks in the action, emphasizing the seamlessness of the process.

all the time

A more informal way to describe something that happens very frequently or continuously.

around the clock

Implies continuous activity, often referring to 24/7 operations or constant availability.

day in and day out

Suggests a monotonous or routine repetition of an action over a long period.

FAQs

How can I use "a continual basis" in a sentence?

You can use "a continual basis" to describe actions or processes that occur repeatedly over time. For example: "The data is backed up on a continual basis to prevent data loss."

What's a more formal alternative to "a continual basis"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "on a regular basis" or "on an ongoing basis".

What's the difference between "a continual basis" and "a continuous basis"?

"Continual" implies repeated actions with possible intervals, while "continuous" implies an uninterrupted action. Therefore, use "a continual basis" when referring to something that happens again and again, and "a continuous basis" for something that never stops.

Is it correct to say "on a continuous basis" instead of "a continual basis"?

Yes, "on a continuous basis" is grammatically correct and means something happens without interruption. It's often used interchangeably with "a continual basis", though "continuous" emphasizes the uninterrupted nature more strongly.