in a continuous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a continuous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a process or action that is ongoing or uninterrupted, such as "she worked in a continuous cycle of eating, sleeping, and studying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They would loop this around in a continuous strand".

The New Yorker

Beech-Nut was in a continuous financial bind.

The New York Times - Magazine

The rich imagery of "Biped" comes in a continuous current.

The New York Times - Arts

The images were broadcast in a continuous loop on SANA.

The New York Times

In a continuous motion, he popped up, ball held aloft.

The New York Times - Sports

Today's sustainable forestry management practices mean more trees are grown in a continuous, renewable cycle.

The Guardian

The beautiful Leeann speaks in a continuous scatological flow, and mistakes exhibitionism for candor.

The New York Times - Books

(Analog refers to the process of sending an audio signal in a continuous wave).

The New York Times - Tech

At their best they can engage us in a continuous search to understand the human condition.

The Guardian

The Son's Room is notable for happening in a continuous, ordinary daylight.

The Guardian - Film

Mr. Silverstein prefers to cast the catastrophe as a low moment in a continuous cycle.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in a continuous", ensure the context clearly indicates an uninterrupted action or state. For example, "The data was monitored in a continuous stream to detect anomalies."

Common error

Avoid using "in a continuous" to describe actions that have pauses or interruptions. If the action isn't truly uninterrupted, consider alternatives like "regularly", "periodically", or "frequently".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a continuous" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, describing the manner in which an action or process occurs. It specifies that something happens without interruption, pause, or cessation. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

33%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in a continuous" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase, as verified by Ludwig AI. It functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the uninterrupted nature of an action or state. It is commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia contexts, suggesting broad applicability. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates an uninterrupted activity, and avoid using it for actions that have pauses. Alternatives like "in a ceaseless manner", "in a perpetual cycle", and "in an uninterrupted flow" can be considered for stylistic variation. Understanding these nuances will help writers effectively convey the intended meaning with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in a ceaseless manner

Changes "continuous" to "ceaseless," emphasizing the unending nature of the action or state.

in a perpetual cycle

Replaces "continuous" with "perpetual" and "manner" with "cycle," highlighting the cyclical and unending aspect.

in an uninterrupted flow

Switches to "uninterrupted flow," focusing on the smoothness and lack of breaks in the process.

in a constant stream

Uses "constant stream" to suggest a steady and unbroken sequence.

in a sustained fashion

Employs "sustained fashion" to convey the idea of something maintained over time without stopping.

in an ongoing process

Focuses on the progression and continuation of a process, replacing "continuous" with "ongoing".

in a never-ending loop

Highlights the repetitive and infinite nature of the action, suggesting it has no conclusion.

without any breaks

Expresses the lack of pauses or interruptions, directly stating the absence of breaks.

around the clock

Implies that something is happening constantly, 24 hours a day.

day and night

Indicates something happens persistently, both during the day and at night, without stopping.

FAQs

How can I use "in a continuous" in a sentence?

Use "in a continuous" to describe something that happens without interruption. For example, "The machine operated "in a continuous cycle", producing goods around the clock."

What are some alternatives to "in a continuous"?

Alternatives include phrases like "in a ceaseless manner", "in a perpetual cycle", or "in an uninterrupted flow", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "in a continuous"?

Yes, the phrase "in a continuous" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is valid and provides many examples.

What's the difference between "in a continuous" and "continuously"?

"In a continuous" is a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, while "continuously" is an adverb that modifies a verb. For example, "The process ran "in a continuous manner"" versus "The process ran continuously".