continuous vs continual
Definitions
adjective
- of a function or curve; extending without break or irregularity
- continuing in time or space without interruption
Examples
The highly textured surface of these poems does not, however, obscure the continuous emotional undercurrent.
The hanging-wall zone contained 33% of the copper and was the most erratic and discontinuous zone.
There are three degrees of intimacy between words, of which the first and loosest is expressed by their mere juxtaposition as separate words, the second by their being hyphened, and the third or closest by their being written continuously as one word.
Definitions
adjective
- having no interruptions
- recurring regularly or frequently in a prolonged and closely spaced series
Examples
So spake he, and Athene was mightily angered at heart, and chid Odysseus in wrathful words: Odysseus, thou hast no more steadfast might nor any prowess, as when for nine whole years continually thou didst battle with the Trojans for high born Helen, of the white arms, and many men thou slewest in terrible warfare, and by thy device the wide-wayed city of Priam was taken.
He appealed to all householders to continually check their security arrangements.
What I really liked, from my white boy point-of-view, was Eddie taking a brief second to explain his continual usage of the N-word: because its power is lessened the more it's used.
