‘Continually’ vs. ‘Continuously’: when to use which

What is an adverb?

An adverb is a word that modifies verbs and adjectives. They can also modify other adverbs. Most adverbs end with “-ly,” making them easy to identify. Here are some examples of common adverbs:

• Quickly
• Slowly
• Briefly
• Yearly
• Annually
• Early

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What does ‘continually’ mean?

The word “continually” means “regularly,” “repeatedly,” or “frequently.” It’s an adverb that comes from the adjective “continual.” If you’re writing about an action that experiences pauses or breaks, then “continually” is the right word choice.

Replacing the word “continually” with the word “repeatedly” can help you understand whether it’s the right word to use. If the sentence is still understandable with the word “repeatedly,” then you can use “continually.” If it doesn’t make sense, then you may need to use “continuously” instead.

Examples of the adverb ‘continually’ in a sentence

Use these examples to help you understand when you should use “continually” in a sentence. Here’s an example of “continually” used correctly in a sentence:

• It’s continually sunny in New York.

Why is it okay to use “continually” here? That’s because it’s not always sunny in New York. Sometimes, there are clouds or rain.

Here’s another example of “continually” used correctly in a sentence:

• My cat continually naps while I work.

Cats may sleep a lot, but they don’t sleep 24/7, which is why “continually” should be used in this sentence.

Here’s an example of “continually” used incorrectly in a sentence:

• The Earth is continually rotating.

In this case, “continually” is the wrong word to choose since the Earth is always turning. Check out another example where “continually” shouldn’t be used:

• Blood continually moves through the human body.

In this sentence, “continually” is used incorrectly since blood is always moving through the body—it doesn’t stop.

What does ‘continuously’ mean?

The word “continuously” means “nonstop” or “without interruption.” It’s an adverb that comes from the word “continuous.” You should use “continuously” in your writing when you’re describing something that is constantly happening without stopping.

If you’re not sure whether to use the word “continuously,” replace the word with “constantly.” If the sentence is coherent, then “constantly” is the right word to use. If it still doesn’t make sense, then you may need to use “continually” instead.

Examples of the adverb ‘continuously’ in a sentence

Here’s an example of “continuously” used correctly in a sentence:

• For 70 days in Fairbanks, Alaska, the sun is continuously shining.

In this sentence, “continuously” is correct since the sun doesn’t stop shining.

Here’s another example of “continuously” used correctly in a sentence:

• The Earth continuously orbits around the sun.

In this sentence, “continuously” is correct since the Earth is always moving around the sun.

Here’s an example of “continuously” used incorrectly in a sentence:

• My dad continuously cooks dinner.

In this case, you should use “continually” instead of “continuously” since he’s not cooking dinner 24/7.

• My girlfriend and I continuously talk on the phone.

Since you’re not constantly talking on the phone, “continuously” is the incorrect word choice.

How to remember the difference between ‘continuously’ and ‘continually’

In Bryan A. Garner’s book Garner’s Modern American Usage, he recommends using a mnemonic device to remember when to use the word “continuous.” You can remember that the “ous” in “continuously” stands for “one uninterrupted sequence.”¹ You can also remember that “continually” uses Ls repeatedly, and that you should use “continually” for an occasion that repeats but doesn’t go on forever.

Knowing the difference between “continually” and “continuously” will strengthen your writing. If you’re interested in learning more about word choice, see when you should use “choose” vs. “chose.”

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