How often does it happen? These ten words answer that question in different ways. Some mean now and then, at no set time (sporadic, intermittent). Some mean again and again (recurrent, continual, habitual), and one means on a regular schedule (periodic). The rest mean without stopping (continuous, incessant, unremitting, persistent).
Key idea
The famous pair: continual means again and again, with breaks (a dripping faucet); continuous means going on without a break (a flowing river).
The ten words
Common mistake
continual means repeated with breaks; continuous means without a break. A dripping faucet is continual; a flowing river is continuous.
| how often | words |
|---|---|
| now and then, no pattern | sporadic, intermittent |
| on a regular schedule | periodic |
| again and again | recurrent, continual, habitual (by habit) |
| without any break | continuous, incessant, unremitting |
| keeps going despite everything | persistent |
A dripping faucet is continual (drip, pause, drip). A flowing river is continuous (no pause at all). Memory trick: continu-ous = One Unbroken Stream.