continually

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continually" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that occurs repeatedly or without interruption over a period of time. Example: "The team continually strives for improvement in their processes to enhance productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Better, they clearly believe, to keep him in situ and berate him continually in order to undermine Labour.

The Guardian

There has been no shortage of surprises, from continually having my first impressions overturned, to finding myself in a succession of unexpected situations, from a tribal wedding on the islands of San Blas to a Chavista meeting in Caracas.

The Guardian - Travel

Rather than an opaque carapace, it offers continually changing glimpses through and across its surfaces that, as well as creating simple visual fascination, communicate a sense of its inner life.

The Guardian - Arts

Confidence, knowledge and expertise need to be continually developed and updated for momentum to be maintained.

The Guardian

We're continually developing our apps to offer you the best experience we can.

The Guardian

Reducing these substances may be easier than cutting emissions of carbon dioxide, which is so pervasive because the vast majority of our energy still comes from burning fossil fuels – as delegates at the talks have been continually reminded by their location in Qatar, one of the world's biggest producers of natural gas.

The Guardian

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has praised the skills of foreign nurses who come to the UK, but warns that continually recruiting from abroad is expensive – and unfair on thousands of young Britons who would be keen on a career in the health service but are not given the opportunities.

The Guardian

Hopefully, that should ensure continually improving, high quality, compassionate care to all in our communities.

The Guardian

They, like their counterparts who had been recruited within the IRA, were crossing the line continually during and even after the Troubles supposedly ended.

The Guardian

Defiance of gravity continually undermines the common view, that "Nature... is both blind and automatic".

The Guardian - Books

Shelly Asquith, president of UAL students' union, says: "UAL management have continually undermined education in favour of profit-making and have shown contempt for engaging with the student body in any meaningful way.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "continually" to describe actions that happen repeatedly over a period, rather than actions that are constant without any breaks. For truly constant actions, consider "continuously".

Common error

Avoid using "continually" when you mean something happens without any interruption at all. "Continually" suggests repetition or recurrence, while "continuously" indicates an unbroken sequence. For instance, a machine operates "continuously" (without stopping), but a person might "continually" check their email (repeatedly).

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "continually" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that an action or state occurs repeatedly or very often. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples of its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "continually" is a versatile term used to describe actions or states that occur repeatedly or very often. While grammatically sound and widely accepted, it's important to differentiate its meaning from "continuously", which implies an unbroken sequence. Ludwig AI underscores the correctness of "continually", supported by numerous examples from reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist. When seeking alternatives, consider "constantly" or "repeatedly", while being mindful of the subtle nuances each word brings. By understanding its proper usage and context, writers can effectively employ "continually" to convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

constantly

Indicates a high frequency and lack of interruption, similar to "continually" but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the absence of pauses.

continuously

Implies an unbroken sequence or flow, differing from "continually" by emphasizing uninterrupted action rather than repeated action.

incessantly

Suggests an unrelenting and often annoying continuation, adding a negative connotation not present in "continually".

repeatedly

Focuses on the recurrence of an action, whereas "continually" can also imply an ongoing state.

frequently

Indicates that something happens often but not necessarily without interruption, a subtle difference from "continually".

regularly

Suggests occurrences at fixed or consistent intervals, differing from the potentially less structured nature of "continually".

always

Indicates something happens at all times, can be an exaggeration compared to "continually".

persistently

Highlights the stubborn or determined nature of the repetition, adding a sense of insistence absent in "continually".

ceaselessly

Implies that something never stops, emphasizing the lack of cessation more strongly than "continually".

uninterruptedly

Focuses specifically on the lack of interruptions, which is a component of "continually" but not its sole meaning.

FAQs

What does "continually" mean?

"Continually" means repeatedly or very often over a period of time. It implies that something happens again and again, possibly with short intervals or breaks.

How is "continually" different from "continuously"?

"Continually" suggests repetition with possible interruptions, while "continuously" indicates an unbroken sequence or flow without any pauses. For example, a tap might drip "continually" (with individual drips), but a stream flows "continuously" (without stopping).

What are some alternatives to using "continually"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "constantly", "repeatedly", "frequently", or "regularly" instead of "continually".

Is it correct to say "continually improving"?

Yes, "continually improving" is a correct and common phrase. It suggests that something is undergoing repeated or ongoing improvements over a period of time.