This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. English
  3. Zoology

continual/continuous

English translation: repeatedly/unbroken

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:continual/continuous
Selected answer:repeatedly/unbroken
Entered by: Kim Metzger

20:01 Mar 21, 2004
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Zoology
English term or phrase: continual/continuous
Can anyone explain the difference in usage between continual and continuous?

If you are talking about constant noise for example, is this continual or continuous? Or can it be both?

Thanks!
Emma Cox
United Kingdom
Local time: 07:38
continuous
Explanation:
The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage: continual = over and over again; continuous = unbroken
A constant noise would be continuous
Selected response from:

Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 00:38
Grading comment
Thanks Kim!! It was referring to insects scuffling through grain, so I still think continual, since it wouldn't be constant. But thanks for explanining the difference, I hadn't really analysed this before!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
4 +13continuous
Kim Metzger
5 +2Continual= with intervals // Continuous = nonstop
Monica Colangelo
5 +2see
Maria Luisa Duarte
5Below
Empty Whiskey Glass
5Time/Both
Alexander Demyanov
3 +1continuous
cillegio


  

Answers


3 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +13
continuous


Explanation:
The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage: continual = over and over again; continuous = unbroken
A constant noise would be continuous


Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 00:38
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thanks Kim!! It was referring to insects scuffling through grain, so I still think continual, since it wouldn't be constant. But thanks for explanining the difference, I hadn't really analysed this before!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Hacene
1 min
agree  jerrie
3 mins
agree  Edward L. Crosby III: continual: repeatedly; continuous: with no interruption.
6 mins
agree  Vicky Papaprodromou
9 mins
agree  cillegio
16 mins
agree  Armorel Young: yet another way to put it - continual: happens again and again; continuous: doesn't stop
51 mins
agree  Yoshiro Shibasaki, PhD
53 mins
agree  jebeen
1 hr
agree  mportal
1 hr
agree  NancyLynn
1 hr
agree  Laurel Porter (X): I agree. I agree. I agree.
3 hrs
agree  hookmv
5 hrs
agree  Empty Whiskey Glass
2 days 11 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

4 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
Continual= with intervals // Continuous = nonstop


Explanation:
HTH

Monica Colangelo
Argentina
Local time: 03:38
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in SpanishSpanish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  NancyLynn
1 hr
agree  hookmv
5 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +2
see


Explanation:
continual
(adjective)
happening repeatedly, usually in an annoying or inconvenient way:
I've had continual problems with this car ever since I bought it.
I'm sorry - I can't work with these continual interruptions.

continually
(adverb)
They argue continually.

continuous

(adjective)
without a pause or interruption:
continuous pain
My computer makes a continuous low buzzing noise.
A continuous white line (= line without spaces) in the middle of the road means no overtaking.


CONTINUOUS NOISE!




    Reference: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?dict=CALD&key=166...
Maria Luisa Duarte
Spain
Local time: 08:38
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish, Native in PortuguesePortuguese

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  NancyLynn
1 hr
agree  hookmv
5 hrs
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Below


Explanation:
Continuous Improvement as I have learned it implies that the event occurs in a predictable manner. A continuous beep might be: beep (pause 2 seconds) beep (pause 2 seconds) beep (pause 2 seconds)...onward. It occurs in an established, predictable pattern/rhythm.

Continual improvement implies starts and stops in an unestablished manner. For example: beep (pause 10 seconds) beep (pause 4 seconds) beep (pause 3 seconds) beep (pause 8 seconds). No discernable pattern or rhythm.


Quote: continual improvement
recurring activity to increase the ability to fulfil requirements

http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread.php?t=7478

Empty Whiskey Glass
Local time: 09:38
Native speaker of: Native in BulgarianBulgarian
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +1
continuous


Explanation:
1 : continuing indefinitely in time without interruption <continual fear>
2 : recurring in steady usually rapid succession <a history of continual invasions>

1 : marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence
2 of a function : having the property that the absolute value of the numerical difference between the value at a given point and the value at any point in a neighborhood of the given point can be made as close to zero as desired by choosing the neighborhood small enough

cillegio
Local time: 10:38
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  NancyLynn
1 hr
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

5 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
Time/Both


Explanation:
continuous - marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence

continual - continuing indefinitely in time without interruption

For example, you say "continuous line" but "continual pain"

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 36 mins (2004-03-21 20:38:01 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Continual (Con*tin\"u*al) (?), a.
[OE. continuel, F. continuel. See Continue.]

1. Proceeding without interruption or cesstaion; continuous; unceasing; lasting; abiding. \"He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.\" Prov. xv. 15.
2. Occuring in steady and rapid succession; very frequent; often repeated. \"The eye is deligh by a continental succession of small landscapes.\" W. Irwing.

-- Continual proportionals (Math.), quantities in continued proportion. Brande & C.

Alexander Demyanov
Local time: 02:38
Native speaker of: Native in RussianRussian

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Edward L. Crosby III: Continual = repeatedly WITH interruptions is how I know the term.
7 mins
  -> Well, may be you should look into a dictionary once in a while. Your meaning is valid too (as the second meaning)
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search