What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discontinuous
Example
The road was discontinuous, with many potholes and bumps. [discontinuous: adjective]
Example
The data showed discontinuous patterns, with many gaps and inconsistencies. [discontinuous: adjective]
disconnected
Example
The phone line was disconnected, so I couldn't make any calls. [disconnected: adjective]
Example
His thoughts were disconnected and scattered, making it hard to follow his argument. [disconnected: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disconnected is more commonly used than discontinuous in everyday language. Disconnected is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while discontinuous is less common and more technical in nature.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between discontinuous and disconnected?
Both discontinuous and disconnected are formal words that are appropriate for academic or technical writing. However, discontinuous may be considered more technical or specialized than disconnected.
