continual

continual — adjective

1. describing events or situations that happen many times over a long period, often

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describing events or situations that happen many times over a long period, often causing frustration, irritation, or inconvenience because they keep coming back after short pauses

例句

Joaquín was exhausted by the continual noise from the nightclub below his apartment.

collocation: continual noise

The teacher's continual reminders to submit homework began to frustrate the class.

attributive use: continual + noun

同義詞
  • repeated

    more neutral — 'continual' adds the idea of frequency and often annoyance, while 'repeated' simply states that something happens more than once

  • frequent

    focuses on short intervals between events rather than the bothersome quality; a train may make frequent stops without being annoying

  • constant

    suggests something is always present or unchanging, whereas 'continual' events may stop and start

  • incessant

    stronger and more formal than 'continual'; implies something that never stops and is hard to bear

反義詞
  • occasional

    happening from time to time but not often or regularly

  • intermittent

    stopping and starting at irregular intervals, without the negative tone of 'continual'

文法句型

continual + noun

be + continual

用法筆記

Traditional English usage distinguishes this sense from 'continuous': 'continual' describes events that happen repeatedly WITH pauses between them, whereas 'continuous' describes something that goes on WITHOUT any pause or break. For example, continual rain may stop and start several times a day; continuous rain falls without stopping at all. Many style guides recommend keeping this distinction in formal writing.

常見錯誤

❌The machine ran without stopping for three days — it was a continual hum.
✅The machine ran without stopping for three days
💡it was a continuous hum.' — For an unbroken, non-stop sound, use 'continuous'; 'continual' allows for short pauses between events.

2. going on without any break, stop, or pause for a very long time or forever

2.形容詞B2
釋義

going on without any break, stop, or pause for a very long time or forever

例句

The waterfall feeds a continual flow of fresh water into the lake below.

collocation: continual flow

Reuben depended on the continual support of his older sister while studying abroad.

collocation: continual support

同義詞
  • continuous

    the standard word for something without any break; 'continuous' is preferred in formal writing for this meaning

  • unbroken

    emphasises that nothing has been interrupted or divided into parts

  • non-stop

    informal and direct; used mainly in speech and everyday writing

  • ceaseless

    more literary or dramatic; suggests something that continues forever or feels endless

反義詞
  • broken

    interrupted or not continuous

  • sporadic

    happening occasionally, not in a regular or continuous way

文法句型

continual + noun

be + continual

用法筆記

In this sense, 'continual' means the same as 'continuous' — something happens without interruption. However, some style guides prefer to reserve 'continuous' for this meaning and use 'continual' only for sense 1 (repeated events with gaps). In everyday speech and writing, both words are commonly used for the 'uninterrupted' meaning, but 'continuous' is the safer choice in formal or academic texts.

常見錯誤

❌She has suffered continual back pain for six years without a single day of relief.
✅She has suffered continuous back pain for six years without a single day of relief.
💡For unbroken, never-stopping pain, 'continuous' is preferred; 'continual' can imply the pain comes and goes.