a continual issue

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a continual issue" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a problem or concern that persists over time without resolution. Example: "The lack of communication between departments has become a continual issue that affects our overall productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"We have a continual issue where people put signs on the ocean-side of their home that say 'private beach,' which is completely not true".

Los Angeles Times

Clippers stars Blake Griffin, Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan watched the entire fourth quarter from the bench, a rarity during a season in which finishing games has been a continual issue.

Los Angeles Times

And I wonder if he can have that kind of true friendship with someone he's actually married to, because that does seem to be a continual issue for him.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Personal issues should not be a continual subject of discussion or bargaining tool within healthy business partnerships.

Forbes

It also utilizes the concept of register renaming, and resolves Write-after-Write (WAW), Read-after-Write (RAW) and Write-after-Read (WAR) computer architecture hazards by register renaming, which allows the continual issuing of instructions.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

The United States must take advantage of this chance to re-frame the relationship with Uzbekistan based on the fundamental message that human rights is going to be a continual and unrelenting issue for our government.

Huffington Post

The downturn is so sharp, however, that Beijing announced it is working on a second stimulus package and now issues a continual stream of bulletins--almost all of them vague--on new initiatives.

Forbes

The arms issue has been a continual stumbling block in the Northern Ireland peace negotiations, and in the three years since the accord was reached there has been a series of crisis talks to try to solve it.

The New York Times

Continue to seek out a continual future.

WikiHow

If sleepovers cause a continual problem, either limit them or make sure you coordinate the issue of bedtime hours with the parent hosting the sleepover.

WikiHow

From the viewpoint of Color of Change, what are some of the more pressing issues involving people of color that need a continual focus?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a continual issue", ensure the context clearly indicates that the problem is not only recurring but also persistent over a significant period. For example, use it to describe long-term struggles, not just occasional inconveniences.

Common error

Avoid using "continual" when "continuous" is more appropriate. "Continual" implies recurrence with breaks, while "continuous" suggests an unbroken sequence. For instance, say "continuous improvement" rather than "continual improvement" if you mean constant and uninterrupted progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a continual issue" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and characterizes a recurring problem or difficulty, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a continual issue" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a problem or difficulty that recurs over time. Ludwig indicates that while not overly common, it's found in various contexts, particularly in news and media. It's important to differentiate "continual" from "continuous", as the former implies recurrence with breaks, while the latter suggests an unbroken sequence. When using the phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the recurring and persistent nature of the problem you're describing. Alternatives like "a recurring problem" or "an ongoing challenge" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a recurring problem

Focuses on the repeated nature of the problem.

an ongoing challenge

Emphasizes the active and unresolved nature of the issue.

a persistent difficulty

Highlights the stubbornness of the problem.

a chronic problem

Implies the issue is long-lasting and difficult to eradicate.

a perpetual concern

Stresses the constant worry associated with the issue.

a regular source of trouble

Highlights the issue as a predictable cause of problems.

a constant source of irritation

Focuses on the annoyance and frustration caused by the issue.

an unremitting struggle

Emphasizes the ceaseless effort required to manage the issue.

a never-ending battle

Highlights the prolonged and potentially unwinnable nature of the issue.

a consistent impediment

Focuses on the hindering effect of the issue.

FAQs

What does "a continual issue" mean?

The phrase "a continual issue" refers to a problem or difficulty that occurs repeatedly over time. It suggests that the issue is not isolated but rather something that keeps arising.

What's a good alternative to "a continual issue"?

You can use alternatives like "a recurring problem", "a persistent difficulty", or "an ongoing challenge" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

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

You can use "a continual issue" to describe something that repeatedly causes problems, such as "The outdated software has been a continual issue for our IT department".

Is there a difference between "a continual issue" and "a continuous issue"?

"Continual" implies that something happens repeatedly with intervals, whereas "continuous" implies that something happens without interruption. Therefore, "a continual issue" suggests a problem that recurs, while "a continuous issue" would suggest a single, ongoing problem without breaks.