continuous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "continuous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is ongoing or unbroken over a period of time. Example: "The continuous flow of water from the fountain created a soothing atmosphere in the garden."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The typical wheeze in asthma is a continuous whistling sound heard on breathing out.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"No one is ever happy with having to answer continuous allegations but as long as they have hearings, I'll keep turning up," he told the Seven Network.

The Guardian

Furious Labour officials insisted that Miliband had repeatedly said he would not strike any deal with the SNP on Trident and has committed his party irrevocably to a continuous at-sea deterrent involving four submarines, if that is the view of the Royal Navy.

The Guardian

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 2.37pm BST14:37 Deir Azzour: 'The shooting on the city is continuous' Our colleague Mona Mahmood has been speaking via Skype with Auss al-Arabi, a resident of Sheikh Yassin district in Deir Azzour: The shooting on the city is continuous.

The Guardian

The Andes, as the world's longest continuous mountain range, came to hold the promise of an endless succession of extreme and sublime landscapes.

The Guardian - Travel

"We have tough debates, continuous dialogue," says Kaberuka.

The Guardian

One continuous shot and for those who don't know and who might be interested, I am - as it were - carrying Batman across the battlefield (it is the 15-year-old Christian Bale).

The Guardian

I've always been desperate to know if that is one continuous shot or was it edited together.

The Guardian

Continuous engagement with participants has been at the forefront of the project, which has included coffee mornings with older residents to discuss the ideas and workshops with stakeholders and council procurement staff to find new working processes with small businesses.

The Guardian

Ghana's power failures pale in comparison to Nigeria, where Lagossians say that if they have four hours of continuous mains electricity, then it is a good day.

The Guardian

Alan Travis Key policies On the renewal of the Trident nuclear deterrent, it says: "Labour remains committed to a minimum, credible, independent nuclear capability through a continuous at-sea deterrent".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a process or activity, use "continuous" to emphasize the unbroken nature of the action, for example, "continuous monitoring" or "continuous improvement".

Common error

Avoid using "continual" when you mean "continuous". "Continuous" implies something happens without interruption, while "continual" means something happens repeatedly with intervals.

Linguistic Context

The word "continuous" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that extends without interruption or break. As Ludwig AI indicates, this adjective form is widely recognized and accepted in standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "continuous" is widely used and grammatically correct, signifying something that occurs without interruption. Ludwig AI validates its proper use in English writing. Its prevalence in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific contexts underscores its versatility. While "continuous" is often interchangeable with terms like "uninterrupted" or "constant", it's important to distinguish it from "continual", which implies repetition with intervals. Pay attention to the specific nuance you want to convey to ensure accurate and effective communication. Top authoritative sources include The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uninterrupted

Emphasizes the absence of any breaks or pauses.

constant

Highlights the consistent and unchanging nature of something.

continual

Suggests frequent recurrence or repetition over time.

incessant

Implies something that never stops, often with a negative connotation.

never-ending

Stresses the infinite or seemingly limitless duration of something.

ongoing

Indicates something currently in progress and expected to continue.

unbroken

Focuses on the physical or metaphorical integrity of something not being disrupted.

unceasing

Similar to incessant, but may not always carry a negative connotation.

unending

Similar to never-ending, but can also suggest a planned or intended duration.

sustained

Emphasizes the ability of something to be maintained at a certain level or intensity over time.

FAQs

How is "continuous" used in a sentence?

"Continuous" is used to describe something that happens without interruption. For example, "The machine requires a continuous supply of power".

What can I say instead of "continuous"?

You can use alternatives like "uninterrupted", "constant", or "continual" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

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

Both are correct, but they have different meanings. "Continuous" means without interruption, while "continual" means recurring regularly.

What's the difference between "continuous" and "constant"?

"Continuous" implies an unbroken sequence, while "constant" emphasizes a lack of change or variation over time. They can often be used interchangeably, but "constant" has a stronger connotation of stability.