a continual progress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a continual progress" is not correct in standard English; it should be "continuous progress." You can use "continuous progress" to describe an ongoing and uninterrupted advancement in a particular area or field.
Example: "The team has made continuous progress in developing the new software, ensuring that all features are implemented on time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In the long run the key to achieving a more equal distribution of property lay in abundance: "in a nation prosperous in its agriculture, its manufactures and its commerce, there is a continual progress towards equality" (1840, I, 123).

SEP

This view is expressed explicitly by the philosophe Marquis de Condorcet, in his Sketch for a Historical Picture of the Progress of the Human Mind (published posthumously in 1795 and which, perhaps better than any other work, lays out the paradigmatically Enlightenment view of history of the human race as a continual progress to perfection).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Since then many countries have been creating an illusion of continual progress by running up hefty debts to finance their welfare states.

The Economist

If it does, it will merely be the latest step in a career focused on continual progress.

The New York Times - Sports

It sits awkwardly in the narrative of an America defined by continual progress and the inevitable triumph of good over evil.

The New Yorker

In other words, can we determine the analytics that show continual progress towards a success metric?

Forbes

Our designs demand continual progress in the development of construction technology, and the industry continues to respond by providing ever more sophisticated tools and materials.

Huffington Post

To promote continual progress in the understanding of transonic shock buffet, this review presents a consolidation of recent investigations in the field.

Progress in Aerospace Sciences

Count us among the biggest enthusiasts for continual progress in these and related areas.

Harvard Business Review

He feels that he is making continual progress and that his recovery is going better than expected.

The New York Times - Sports

"Having them make continual progress provides them with feedback that they are doing what they need to be doing".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to consistent advancement, use "continuous progress" instead of "a continual progress" for grammatical correctness.

Common error

Avoid using "continual" when you mean something is happening without interruption. "Continual" implies frequent recurrence, while "continuous" suggests an unbroken sequence. Therefore, prefer "continuous progress" to "a continual progress".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a continual progress" functions as a noun phrase intended to describe ongoing advancement. However, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect, advising the use of "continuous" instead of "continual". Although some examples exist, their limited number indicates infrequent use.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a continual progress" aims to describe ongoing advancement; however, it's grammatically questionable. Ludwig AI suggests that "continuous progress" is the correct term. Although "a continual progress" appears in some sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its usage is infrequent and may be perceived as incorrect. For clear and grammatically sound writing, consider using alternatives such as "continuous progress", "steady advancement", or "ongoing development".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continuous progress

Replaces "continual" with "continuous", correcting the grammatical issue and providing a more standard phrasing.

steady advancement

Substitutes both words to convey consistent forward movement.

ongoing development

Focuses on the developmental aspect of progress, implying that it is still in progress.

ceaseless improvement

Emphasizes the unstopping nature of the improvement.

uninterrupted advancement

Highlights the lack of breaks or pauses in the progress.

constant growth

Focuses on the aspect of growth as the primary driver.

sustained progression

Emphasizes the maintained nature of the forward movement.

regular development

Suggests a structured and predictable pattern of progress.

perpetual advancement

Indicates a limitless or never-ending form of progress.

non-stop growth

Highlights that the growth has no stop.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say 'a continual progress'?

The grammatically correct phrase is "continuous progress". "Continual" suggests repeated but not necessarily constant action, while "continuous" describes something that happens without interruption.

How does 'continual' differ from 'continuous'?

"Continual" implies that something recurs regularly, whereas "continuous" means something happens without interruption. For instance, you might experience "continual interruptions" during a meeting or see "continuous progress" on a project.

What are some alternatives to the phrase 'a continual progress'?

Alternatives include "steady advancement", "ongoing development", or simply "continuous progress", all of which convey the idea of consistent improvement.

Is 'a continual progress' grammatically correct?

No, it's not considered grammatically correct in standard English. The proper term is "continuous progress". Using "continual" is a common mistake stemming from the similarities between the two words.