on a continual basis vs on a continuous basis

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'On a continual basis' implies that something happens repeatedly but with breaks in between, while 'on a continuous basis' suggests that something happens without interruption. The choice between the two depends on whether you want to emphasize breaks or uninterrupted flow.

Last updated: March 29, 2024 • 4609 views

on a continual basis

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It implies that something happens repeatedly but with breaks in between.

This phrase is used to indicate that something occurs regularly but not constantly, with intervals or pauses in between each occurrence.

Examples:

We monitor the situation on a continual basis to ensure timely intervention.
The company reviews its policies on a continual basis to adapt to changing market conditions.

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Costs of durable assets used solely and on a continual basis for the research activity (equipment and instruments): ...
Costs of land and premises used solely and on a continual basis (except where transferred commercially) for the research activity: ...
The authority whose competence ends shall update this information on a continual basis, and as a general rule on a monthly basis, when there is new information on a supervisory procedure to report.
On the one hand, we have a people who are fighting for their freedom, and on the other we have a colonial power which is using every available means of oppression and repression on a continual basis.
We should strive to follow this example and to monitor it on a continual basis.
Moreover, without further intervention, the UK would continue to face capacity constraints throughout the 2020s and beyond and would need to design an energy mix to meet those challenges on a continual basis.
The EESC believes that tax incentives can be effective in stimulating investments but that, in addition, energy efficiency services used on a continual basis can increase the energy efficiency of installations.
If such cross-trading takes place on a regular, continual and/or systematic basis, it risks distorting the national market of one of the host Member States.
For this reason, some basic principles, chiefly those regarding the financial sector, which I am about to discuss, and the issue of European Union resources, must be accepted from the outset and must always be debated on this basis without continual changes in policy.
The European Union believes in the benefits of a continual dialogue and therefore intends to raise the issue of Tunisia's human rights commitments on a regular basis and at all levels.
If effort is to be reduced by half, it should be done on the basis of a continual period by shortening the fishing season.
This resulted in a continual improvement and the Service Standard being reached during March.
How to improve activity-based management is a continual challenge.
I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade.
Up to 2006 there was a continual process of legislative adjustment to the Ohrid Framework Agreement and increasing harmony.
And we've had a continual acceleration of this process.
We know that there is a continual threat of terrorism throughout the world.
Let us make a continual evaluation, but without creating unnecessary expectations.
This earthquake is a tragic reminder that natural disasters are a continual threat for all Member States.
A continual chore one comes to dread.

Alternatives:

regularly
repeatedly with breaks
intermittently

on a continuous basis

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It implies that something happens without interruption.

This phrase is used to indicate that something occurs constantly, without any breaks or interruptions.

Examples:

The system operates on a continuous basis to ensure smooth functioning.
The data is updated on a continuous basis to provide real-time information.

Show examples from the web [+]

Sufficient personnel to fulfil the task, if necessary on a continuous basis.
This is achieved by applying the patch twice weekly on a continuous basis.
For the same reason, collateral maintained by the CCP should be monitored and valued on a continuous basis to ensure that it remains liquid.
Member States shall require this information to be made available to the public on reasonable commercial terms and on a continuous basis during normal trading hours.
Moreover, it was not required that an aid scheme be used on a continuous basis.
The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is a voluntary EU scheme acknowledging organisations that improve their environmental performance on a continuous basis.
Both Trustees will be reviewed with the Commission after six months and from then onwards on a continuous basis.
The Commission and the Member States shall monitor and evaluate the implementation of the ARGO action programme on a continuous basis.
Consequently this report calls for schools to move away from traditional testing, where the future prospects of an individual depends on their performance on one day, and to try to find ways of assessing pupils on a continuous basis.
The implementation and performance of the new insolvency framework shall be monitored on a continuous basis to ensure that it supports its objectives and principles, and if necessary, amendments will be proposed.
According to Annex 1B of the report from the Commission (COM(2002) 352), a number of countries have received MFA on a continuous basis.
In certain cases, to be specified in the call, first stage proposals will be evaluated on a continuous basis (see Annex D).
Tasigna was administered on a continuous basis (twice daily 2 hours after a meal and with no food for at least one hour after administration) unless there was evidence of inadequate response or disease progression.
In the public health domain, assessment of risk to humans is carried out on a continuous basis in cooperation with the WHO and experts from the Member States.
The preferred methods to achieve this are data collection on a continuous basis or the calculation of a representative average of data collected for specific reference dates.
The administrative, management or supervisory body shall have responsibility for putting in place systems which ensure that the internal model operates properly on a continuous basis.
The administrator shall be satisfied that contributors adhere to the code of conduct on a continuous basis and at least annually and in case of changes to it.
In light of these definitions, it can be considered that the shareholders' contributions, which were used to cover VFAB's operating losses on a continuous basis, qualify as operating aid in favour of VFAB.
a hazard identification and risk assessment process that allows managing the operational risk(s) of the operator arising from crew member fatigue on a continuous basis;
(a) The undertaking cooperates genuinely [5], fully, on a continuous basis and expeditiously from the time it submits its application throughout the Commission's administrative procedure. This includes:

Alternatives:

constantly
without interruption
non-stop

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on a continual basis vs on a continuous basis