What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
continual
Example
The continual rain made it difficult to enjoy the outdoor concert. [continual: adjective]
Example
She complained about the continual interruptions while trying to work. [continual: adjective]
incessant
Example
The incessant barking of the neighbor's dog kept me up all night. [incessant: adjective]
Example
The construction noise was incessant, making it impossible to concentrate. [incessantly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Continual is more commonly used than incessant in everyday language. Continual is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while incessant is more specific and often used to describe negative situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between continual and incessant?
Both continual and incessant can be used in formal and informal contexts, but incessant may be perceived as more informal due to its negative connotation.