Basic Details
Word: Continuously
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: Without stopping or without a break.
Synonyms: nonstop, constantly, ceaselessly, endlessly
Antonyms: occasionally, intermittently
How to Spell Continuously
Syllables: con - tin - u - ous - ly
Tricky part: It is continuous with ly added, so it keeps the u before ous and has only one l. Writing continously or continuouslly are common slips.
Watch out for: continously, continuosly, continuouslly
Memory tip: Build it in two steps: first continuous (with its u), then a plain ly. Just as famous becomes famously, nothing else changes.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The tap dripped continuously until the plumber came.
Example 2: Our neighbour's dog barked continuously when the fireworks began.
Example 3: The weaver worked continuously for six hours to finish the sari border.
Fun Fact
The pitch drop experiment at the University of Queensland, started in 1927, has run continuously for decades; by 2014 only nine drops of tar-like pitch had fallen.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word closest in meaning to continuously as used in the sentence:
The baby on the night flight to Kolkata cried continuously, and nobody nearby could sleep.
a) nonstop
b) rarely
c) suddenly
d) softly
Show answer
a) nonstop. Crying continuously means crying nonstop; rarely is nearly the opposite.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. numerusly 2. cautiosly 3. continuously 4. previosly
a) carefully, so as to avoid danger
b) at an earlier time
c) without stopping or without a break
d) in large numbers
Show answer
c) without stopping or without a break. Continuously is the correct one; previously, numerously and cautiously all need ous.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
continuouslly
a) u
b) y
c) s
d) l
Show answer
d) l. Ly adds only one l, because continuous does not end in l.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. If a machine runs continuously, it ____.
a) never stops while it is on
b) works very slowly
c) breaks down often
d) runs only at night
Show answer
a) never stops while it is on
2. Fill in the blank: It rained ____ for six hours without a single break.
a) never
b) occasionally
c) rarely
d) continuously
Show answer
d) continuously
