What does continually mean?
Word: Continually
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: Continually means again and again, many times over; or going on without a break for a long time.
Synonyms: repeatedly
Antonyms: seldom
How do you spell continually?
Syllables: con - tin - u - al - ly
Tricky part: The ending has a double l before the y, because the ly is added to a word that already ends in l. Pupils who say it quickly often write continualy.
Watch out for: continualy, continualley
Memory tip: Usually, finally, continually: when ly joins a word ending in l, both l's stay, so look for ll before the y.
Continually in a sentence
Example 1: Leo's little brother continually asked for one more story at bedtime.
Example 2: The coach continually reminded the team to keep their eyes on the ball.
Example 3: Prices at the fruit stall changed continually through the summer.
Fun Fact
Continually and continuously are easily mixed up: style guides often keep continually for something that happens again and again with breaks, and continuously for something that never stops at all.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
cont_n_ally
a) i, o
b) a, u
c) e, u
d) i, u
Show answer
d) i, u. Say con-tin-u: the second syllable has an i, and the u is the clear you sound before al.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word:
1. continuelly 2. gradually 3. punctually 4. eventually
a) at exactly the agreed time
b) again and again, with hardly a break
c) slowly, little by little
d) in the end, after some time
Show answer
b) again and again, with hardly a break. Continuelly is the misspelt word: an a, not an e, comes before the double l.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
continnually
a) t
b) u
c) a
d) n
Show answer
d) n. Only a single n stands in the middle of the word.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word continually as used in the sentence:
The tap in the staff room dripped continually during the holidays until a plumber fixed it.
a) briefly
b) constantly
c) quietly
d) rarely
Show answer
b) constantly. Dripping again and again with hardly a pause is dripping constantly; rarely says the reverse.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. If Leo's cousin continually asks 'Are we there yet?' on a long car trip, Leo probably feels ____.
a) tired of hearing the same question
b) pleased that his cousin is so silent
c) surprised that she never asks it
d) sorry that she asked only once
Show answer
a) tired of hearing the same question
2. Which of these could best be described with continually?
a) a bus that came just once at noon
b) a letter that arrived once last year
c) a single knock at the front door
d) a dog barking on and off all evening
Show answer
d) a dog barking on and off all evening
