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English to English translations [PRO] Zoology | | English term or phrase: continual/continuous | Can anyone explain the difference in usage between continual and continuous?
If you are talking about constant noise for example, is this continual or continuous? Or can it be both?
Thanks! |
| | | continuous | Explanation: The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage: continual = over and over again; continuous = unbroken
A constant noise would be continuous
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| Selected response from: Kim Metzger Mexico Local time: 12:32
| Grading comment Thanks Kim!! It was referring to insects scuffling through grain, so I still think continual, since it wouldn't be constant. But thanks for explanining the difference, I hadn't really analysed this before! 4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer |
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3 mins confidence:  peer agreement (net): +13 continuous
Explanation: The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage: continual = over and over again; continuous = unbroken
A constant noise would be continuous
| Kim Metzger Mexico Local time: 12:32 Native speaker of: English PRO pts in category: 8
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| | Grading comment | Thanks Kim!! It was referring to insects scuffling through grain, so I still think continual, since it wouldn't be constant. But thanks for explanining the difference, I hadn't really analysed this before! |
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