Words / B1

k-uh-n-TIN-yoo-uh-l/kənˈtɪnjuəl/

Continual means happening again and again, with breaks. Continuous (already in the dictionary) means without a break. Constant is a close twin. Alarms: continual alarms kept patients awake (repeated), not one unbroken noise.

Meaning

Happening again and again (contrast continuous = without a break).

Examples

• “Continual alarms on the ward kept patients awake.”
• “A continuous hum from the plant is unbroken; continual complaints arrive one after another.”

Good to know

continual = repeated. continuous = without stopping. Close: constant. Exam contrast pair. NHS / neighbours. Adverbs: continually / continuously.

New