on a continual basis

USAGE SUMMARY

"on a continual basis" is correct English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe the regularity of actions. For example, "We update our database on a continual basis to keep it fresh and up-to-date."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The bottom line is – any application that wants to periodically interact with the web to do stuff, won't be able to on a continual basis.

TechCrunch

This is why inclusion is such a difficult, complex challenge, and yet, such a necessary one to address on a continual basis, with increasing sophistication and determination.

Huffington Post

"People were coming along seeing the queue and coming back on a continual basis," said one man.

The Guardian

"You see the guy down on the ground, being gratuitously kicked, on a continual basis, by more than one police officer.

The New York Times

Thematic areas were identified on a continual basis, whereby categories were compared and grouped with one another.

BMC Health Services Research

But our commitment to making the best gameplay experience on a continual basis is there.

The Guardian - Tech

Mr. Sheehan said two of the commission's inspectors were at Oyster Creek, observing operations on a continual basis, as they do at all nuclear power plants.

The New York Times

"The Egyptians take security very seriously but we have to assess the situation on a continual basis," said the defense official.

The New York Times

"We're going to have F.B.I. guys there on a continual basis, not just coming in for two weeks and leaving, but stationed there," she explained.

The New York Times

They claimed people were returning on a "continual basis" because of long queues but returned to find it was still there.

The Guardian

He added: "Even with training for relevant staff, it is not possible to police all of these individually on a continual basis".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "on a continual basis" to emphasize the consistent and repeated nature of an action or process, particularly when highlighting the importance of ongoing effort or maintenance.

Common error

Avoid using "on a continual basis" when the continuous nature is already implied. For instance, instead of saying "monitor the system on a continual basis", simply state "monitor the system continuously" to avoid redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "on a continual basis" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs and indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It specifies that an action occurs regularly and repeatedly. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "on a continual basis" functions as an adverbial phrase that signifies actions occurring regularly and repeatedly. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and finds frequent use across various domains, especially in News & Media and Science, and is used to emphasize the recurrent nature of a task. While versatile, writers should be mindful of potential redundancy by ensuring its use adds specific value to the sentence's meaning. Alternatives such as "continuously" or "regularly" might sometimes provide a more concise option. The phrase maintains a neutral to professional tone, suitable for a wide range of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on an ongoing basis

Uses different wording to express the continuing nature of an activity.

continuously

Implies an ongoing action without interruption, simplifying the phrase to a single adverb.

constantly

Similar to 'continuously', but may emphasize the unchanging nature of the action.

on a recurring basis

Focuses on the repeated nature of an action or event.

regularly

Indicates that something happens at consistent intervals.

without interruption

Directly states the lack of breaks in the action.

frequently

Suggests that something happens often, but not necessarily without interruption.

perpetually

Implies that something continues indefinitely or seems never to end.

incessantly

Highlights the relentless and often annoying nature of a continuous action.

all the time

A more informal way to say something happens continuously.

FAQs

How can I use "on a continual basis" in a sentence?

You can use "on a continual basis" to describe actions that happen regularly and consistently. For example, "We update our software "on a continual basis" to ensure optimal performance."

What are some alternatives to "on a continual basis"?

Some alternatives to "on a continual basis" include "continuously", "regularly", or "on an ongoing basis".

Is it better to use "on a continual basis" or "continuously"?

While both phrases are similar, "on a continual basis" emphasizes the repeated nature of the action, whereas "continuously" simply indicates that the action is ongoing without interruption. The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "on a continual basis" and "on a continuous basis"?

The phrases "on a continual basis" and "on a continuous basis" are often used interchangeably, but "continual" suggests repeated actions with possible small interruptions, while "continuous" implies an uninterrupted process.