A simple question

[justathought555]

Can an editor or experienced writer please explain the proper uses of and differences between "continuously" and "continually"?

I am in the middle of revising the initial draft of my first story, and couldn't figure this one out. (It's a minor issue, but worth getting right )

Thanks for any help!!

 

[BlackShanglan]

"Continuously" means that the action continues without interruption. A river flows continuously. It does it all of the time, constantly.

"Continually" means that the action happens frequently, but not necessarily continuously. My dog is continually badgering me for treats. She does is four or five times a day.

That's a gut instinct definition, btw. Random House is hiding in the other room. But I think I'm right on this.

Shanglan

 

[LadyCibelle]

"Continuously" means that the action continues without interruption. A river flows continuously. It does it all of the time, constantly.

"Continually" means that the action happens frequently, but not necessarily continuously. My dog is continually badgering me for treats. She does is four or five times a day.

That's a gut instinct definition, btw. Random House is hiding in the other room. But I think I'm right on this.

Shanglan

Yep Horsy you are...couldn't have said it better myself

 

[HawaiiBill]

Questions are continuous

Can an editor or experienced writer please explain the proper uses of and differences between 'continuously' and 'continually'?

If you consult a dictionary rather than
fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants guessing
you will find there is no difference.

The Chambers Dictionary puts it this way: "...adj continual
without interruption; unceasing; persistent. -- adv
continually."

...and "--adj continuous joined together in
space or time without interruption. --adv continuously."

They come from the same root, continudre and
continere, Latin for joined, connected; and to hold together.

Just as a mechanic shouldn't work on a machine
without his toolbox a writer shouldn't hack at
his work without a dictionary. You owe it to yourself
and your readers.

FREE at http://www.m-w.com/
or -- and better -- http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

 

[snooper]

OED makes a small, but significant, distinction, which I have shown in red:

continual
1a Always happening; very frequent and without cessation; archaic regularly recurring.
1b Law. Of a claim: formally reiterated within statutory intervals in order that it might not be deemed to be abandoned.
2 Perpetually existing or acting; unchanging in position.
3 Forming a connected whole or continuous series; unbroken in expanse
4 Of a disease: chronic, not intermittent.

continuous
1 Characterized by continuity; extending in space without a break; uninterrupted in time or sequence; acting without interruption; connected.
2 Grammar. Designating an aspect or tense of the verb expressing continuing action or action in progress, or a particular form expressing this aspect or tense.

 

[BlackShanglan]

Snooper - I agree. I think the distinction is actually present in HawaiiBill's as well - the first lists "persistant," which can occur with an intermittent action, while the second spells out a more specific and closer continuity.

IMHO.

Shanglan

 

[Whisky7up]

Re: Questions are continuous

If you consult a dictionary rather than
fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants guessing
you will find there is no difference.



Just as a mechanic shouldn't work on a machine
without his toolbox a writer shouldn't hack at
his work without a dictionary.

Snooper and BS have shown how to offer an alternative opinion, without the insults HawaiiBill has shown here and elsewhere.

Sometimes more than one tool helps.

When I have a headache, sometimes it's accompanied by a 'continual' throb. If it was 'continuous' it would no longer be a throb.

 

[BlackSnake]

Okay, my turn...

continuous: put together in parts without breaks; joined together; conjoined

continual: not intermitting


It seems to me that continuously means that items are following right behind one another, and continually means that there is no end to a single item.

 

[BlackSnake]

Re: Questions are continuous

If you consult a dictionary rather than
fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants guessing
you will find there is no difference.

The Chambers Dictionary puts it this way: "...adj continual
without interruption; unceasing; persistent. -- adv
continually."

...and "--adj continuous joined together in
space or time without interruption. --adv continuously."

They come from the same root, continudre and
continere, Latin for joined, connected; and to hold together.

Just as a mechanic shouldn't work on a machine
without his toolbox a writer shouldn't hack at
his work without a dictionary. You owe it to yourself
and your readers.

FREE at http://www.m-w.com/
or -- and better -- http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

Sorry Bill, there is a difference

 

[justathought555]

Re: Questions are continuous

If you consult a dictionary rather than
fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants guessing
you will find there is no difference.

The Chambers Dictionary puts it this way: "...adj continual
without interruption; unceasing; persistent. -- adv
continually."

...and "--adj continuous joined together in
space or time without interruption. --adv continuously."

They come from the same root, continudre and
continere, Latin for joined, connected; and to hold together.

Just as a mechanic shouldn't work on a machine
without his toolbox a writer shouldn't hack at
his work without a dictionary. You owe it to yourself
and your readers.

FREE at http://www.m-w.com/
or -- and better -- http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

Actually, there is a difference, though it can be a fine line for people who don't use the words too often (or are rookie writers).

Thanks to everyone who helped out. You actually did clarify the issue for me.

Of course, that doesn't mean I used the correct word, but at least I had a logical reason for choosing the one I did use.

 

[snooper]

Re: Re: Questions are continuous

Thanks to everyone who helped out. You actually did clarify the issue for me.

Another satisfied customer. Most pleasing.

 

[HawaiiBill]

Questions should be answered

My primary point was that questions asked here should be answered
with authority, not by guesswork. This is the Editor's Forum and
it should be better than sticking your head out the window and yelling
at anybody who passes by. There is no difference of substance in the
definitions in Chambers or OED unless you pray for linguistic miracles.

And if you think that insulting, then the shoe fits and should be worn.

Again, free online dictionaries:
http://www.m-w.com/
or -- and better for writers:
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

 

[LadyCibelle]

Re: Questions should be answered

My primary point was that questions asked here should be answered
with authority, not by guesswork.

Question for you Bill...what's the difference between BS' answer having previously consulted a dictionary and your answer quoting another dictionary??? Is your answer better because it comes from YOU ???

The only difference, I see, between the two answers is BS was polite and you were rude as always!!

 

[snooper]

Re: Questions should be answered

... And if you think that insulting, then the shoe fits and should be worn. ...

Sorry to disappoint you, HB, but my feet are far too fat for you to make a shoe that insults me.

 

[flyer333]

Can an editor or experienced writer please explain the proper uses of and differences between "continuously" and "continually"?

Good question. But as I see it, shouldn't we first concern ourselves paragraph breaks?

Why put the cart before the horse?

I apologize if I offend your sensibilities, but why douse the fire in the shed when the house is going up?

Just a thought.

 

[justathought555]

Can an editor or experienced writer please explain the proper uses of and differences between "continuously" and "continually"?

Good question. But as I see it, shouldn't we first concern ourselves paragraph breaks?

Why put the cart before the horse?

I apologize if I offend your sensibilities, but why douse the fire in the shed when the house is going up?

Just a thought.

Ummm...just curious, but why are you going on about paragraph breaks? My first story hasn't even been submitted yet. (It's close though) Once it is submitted and posted on the site, please feel free to forward any constructive criticism, including about my use of paragraph breaks.

I had a simple technical question, and it was graciously answered (well, most of the answers were gracious ).

I thought that is what this area of the boards was designed for, at least in part. Was I incorrect?

 

[BlackSnake]

...

I thought that is what this area of the boards was designed for, at least in part. Was I incorrect?

What fun is it, if we don't complicate things , but then again, I'm not an editor.

 

[LadyCibelle]

What fun is it, if we don't complicate things , but then again, I'm not an editor.

No you're not....BUT I AM!! And I agree with you...it's much more fun when we complicate things