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continually vs. continuously

German translation: immer wieder/ häufig/ wiederholt vs. ständing/ ununterbrochen

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14:40 Jul 6, 2005

English to German translations [Non-PRO]
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters

English term or phrase: continually vs. continuously

What is the difference? Do you know two equivalent German words?
Thanks

Sarah

German translation:immer wieder/ häufig/ wiederholt vs. ständing/ ununterbrochen

Explanation:
Continual means "occurring repeatedly." Continuous means 'going on without interruption." Intravenous fluids were given continuously for three days after surgery, so nurses were continually hooking up new bottles of saline.

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Note added at 42 mins (2005-07-06 15:22:12 GMT)
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ständig NOT ständing :)

Selected response from:

David Hollywood
Local time: 20:58

Grading comment

Graded automatically based on peer agreement.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

5 +5

immer wieder/ häufig/ wiederholt vs. ständing/ ununterbrochen

David Hollywood

2 +4

Definition

Kim Metzger

3 +1

s.u.

BrigitteHilgner

ständig / ununterbrochen

ABCText

depends on the context

Translate4u

sich forsetzend und kontinuierlich andauernd

Gabriele Kaessler

Answers

4 mins confidence:

sich forsetzend und kontinuierlich andauernd

Explanation:
naja...vielleicht so?

Gabriele Kaessler
Local time: 00:58
Native speaker of:

German

4 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +4

Definition

Explanation:
I don't know the equivalent German words, but in English the difference is:
continual = over and over again
continuous = unbroken

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Note added at 13 mins (2005-07-06 14:53:35 GMT)
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From the Economist Style Guide:

Continuous describes something uninterrupted. Continual admits of a break. If your neighbours play loud music evey night, it is a continual nuisance; it is not a continuous one unless the music is never turned off.

http://www.economist.com/research/styleGuide/index.cfm?page=...

The New York Times Manual of Style and Usage

Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 17:58
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 16

14 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

s.u.

Explanation:
immer wiederkehrend/(sehr) häufig
vs.
ununterbrochen/fortlaufend/unaufhörlich/andauernd/fortwährend
Some options

BrigitteHilgner
Austria
Local time: 00:58
Native speaker of:

German
PRO pts in category: 26

22 mins confidence:

ständig / ununterbrochen

Explanation:
... würde ich sagen.

ABCText
France
Local time: 00:58
Works in field
Native speaker of:

German
PRO pts in category: 4

40 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +5

immer wieder/ häufig/ wiederholt vs. ständing/ ununterbrochen

David Hollywood
Local time: 20:58
Works in field
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 12

Grading comment

Graded automatically based on peer agreement.

14 hrs confidence:

depends on the context

Explanation:
continually growing, z. B. fortwährend, stetig wachsend.

continously running, z. B. dauernd in Betrieb (z. B. Maschinen)
without interruption

Translate4u
Germany
Local time: 00:58
Works in field
Native speaker of:

German
PRO pts in category: 12

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continually vs. continuously

German translation: immer wieder/ häufig/ wiederholt vs. ständing/ ununterbrochen

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continually vs. continuously

German translation: immer wieder/ häufig/ wiederholt vs. ständing/ ununterbrochen

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Answers

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KudoZ™ translation helpThe KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

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The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.