continual effect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continual effect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an effect that occurs repeatedly over time without interruption. Example: "The continual effect of the new policy has led to significant improvements in employee productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He talked a great deal about al-Nakba (the "Catastrophe") and its devastating continual effect.

The Guardian - Opinion

The solar wind flow has a continual effect on the upper atmosphere of Earth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A long-term approach that takes into account the multidimensional nature of disparity is necessary to exploring the sustained and continual effect of the incarceration experience.

Health & Justice

Specific information on the characteristics of the injuries, such as chronicity, preventability, continual effect on playing, prevalence and severity, is presented in Table  2.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The addition of epirubicin to the combination of cisplatin and 5-FU resulted in a continual growth inhibitory effect (Couper and Park, 2003).

British Journal of Cancer

The displacement of 150 families from perfectly good homes to sell to private developers shows the continual disregard for the effect this has on human beings.

Vice

This may be attributable to the time effect of continual usage of aluminum-based antiperspirants, or to other exposures.

BMC Cancer

Their ability to initiate EMT depends upon their ability to repress E-cadherin transcription and, at least for Snail1, sustain this effect despite continual signals targeting it for degradation at the proteasome [ 54].

BMC Cancer

There's no great medical data on the long-term effects of continual hard anal sex, but some studies suggest it can permanently weaken muscles, causing long-term rectal incontinence.

Vice

The current accord, struck in April 1998, has raised the greatest hope of a real resolution, but putting it into effect has encountered continual setbacks.

The New York Times

The unfortunate side effect of this continual soft-pedaling of homophobia is that the queer community — our anger, our mistrust, our fear — is rendered incomprehensible to the viewer.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a phenomenon with effects that are not only repeated but also consistent, consider using "continual effect" to convey both aspects of recurrence and consistency.

Common error

Avoid using "continual effect" when you mean a constant, uninterrupted effect. "Continuous effect" implies no breaks, whereas "continual effect" implies repeated action with possible intervals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "continual effect" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where the adjective "continual" modifies the noun "effect". It specifies a recurring impact or consequence. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "continual effect" describes a recurring or repeated impact, distinct from a constant or uninterrupted one. While grammatically sound and found in diverse sources like Science, News & Media and Encyclopedias, according to Ludwig, it's relatively rare, so alternatives such as "continued effect" or "continuing effect" might be more common. When writing, ensure "continual" accurately reflects the intention of repeated action with possible intervals, avoiding confusion with "continuous". "Continual effect" serves to highlight recurrence, as confirmed by various examples on Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continued effect

Emphasis on an effect that persists or extends over time.

continuing effect

Focuses on the ongoing nature of the effect.

lasting effect

Highlights the enduring quality of the impact.

chronic effect

Suggests a long-lasting and often negative impact, particularly in health contexts.

enduring effect

Emphasizes the resilience and permanence of the effect.

constant effect

Implies a steady and unchanging influence.

relentless effect

Highlights the unyielding and persistent nature of the effect.

sustained effect

Focuses on the ability of the effect to be maintained over a period.

ongoing effect

Similar to "continuing effect", emphasizing the present and future impact.

persistent effect

Highlights the stubborn or unchanging nature of the effect.

FAQs

How to use "continual effect" in a sentence?

You can use "continual effect" to describe something that has a repeated or recurring impact. For example, "The "solar wind" has a "continual effect" on Earth's upper atmosphere."

What can I say instead of "continual effect"?

Alternatives include "continued effect", "continuing effect", or "lasting effect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "continual effect" or "continuous effect"?

"Continual effect" and "continuous effect" have slightly different meanings. "Continual" implies repeated action with possible intervals, while "continuous" implies no breaks. Choose the word that best fits the context.

What's the difference between "continual effect" and "persistent effect"?

"Continual effect" suggests something recurs, while "persistent effect" emphasizes that the effect remains present or noticeable over time, even if it isn't constantly recurring.