Continual, Continuous: Reward offered for your grammar "police work"

When to use which:

Continual: That which occurs in intervals (little breaks in between) but which "never comes to an end, or is perceived never to come to an end). Oxford Mini Dictionary, Fowler's Modern English Usage

Used as adverb: "Madge continually cried during melodramatic movies." We assume Madge stopped periodically for popcorn or wipe her nose. You can always expect Madge to cry when sitting through a melodramatic movie.


Continuous: That which has no interval, no break occurring between the beginning and the end, or something presumed not to end. Fowler's Modern English Usage

Used as adverb: "One's heart beats continuously until one expires." Thank Goodness.

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