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continual vs. continuous

Most of the time these are used interchangeably and nothing turns on it. In a contract, plenty turns on it. "Continuous availability" and "continual availability" describe obligations that differ by every gap in between — and the gap between them has been argued over in front of judges more than once.

continual

An adjective meaning happening repeatedly, with gaps in between.

  • Continual interruptions made the afternoon useless.
  • The project suffered continual delays.
  • Her continual reminders eventually worked.
  • Continual improvement — a series of separate improvements, not one unbroken process.

continuous

An adjective meaning happening without any interruption at all.

  • The server requires continuous power.
  • Twelve hours of continuous rain.
  • Continuous monitoring of the patient's vitals.
  • The contract guarantees continuous service, not continual service. (One permits no gaps at all.)

Quick way to remember

Ask whether the thing stops and starts. If there are gaps, it is "continual." If it never pauses, it is "continuous" — which ends in "-ous," like "one unbroken." In anything you will sign, choose deliberately.