What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
continuous
Example
The rain was continuous throughout the day. [continuous: adjective]
Example
She continuous to work on her project even after everyone else had left. [continuous: verb]
perpetual
Example
The perpetual motion machine was a popular idea in the scientific community. [perpetual: adjective]
Example
He felt like he was stuck in a perpetual cycle of work and sleep. [perpetual: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Continuous is more commonly used than perpetual in everyday language. Continuous is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while perpetual is less common and is typically used in more formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between continuous and perpetual?
Perpetual is typically associated with a more formal or technical tone, while continuous is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.