LexBrew
Usage Entry 1420 / 1605 60-second read

Continually vs. Continuously

Repeatedly with breaks versus without breaks.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

It rained continually all night.

✓ Correct

It rained continuously all night — CONTINUOUSLY means without interruption. CONTINUALLY means repeatedly, with pauses.

The ruleii

CONTINUALLY = repeats. CONTINUOUSLY = unbroken.

Same split as the adjectives CONTINUAL/CONTINUOUS. CONTINUALLY = recurring with gaps (the dog continually barked at passing cars). CONTINUOUSLY = unbroken (the river flowed continuously).

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

Continuous has U for Uninterrupted.

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