constant
- continual - continuous
You can use constant, continual, and continuous to describe things that happen or exist without stopping.
‘constant’
You describe something as constant when it happens all the time or never goes away.
He was in constant pain.
I'm getting tired of Eva's constant criticism.
‘continual’ and ‘continuous’
Continual is usually used to describe something that happens often over a period of time. If something is continuous, it happens all the time without stopping, or seems to do so. For example, if you say ‘There was continual rain’, you mean that it rained often. If you say ‘There was continuous rain’, you mean that it did not stop raining.
Continual can only be used in front of a noun. Don't use it after a verb. Continuous can be used either in front of a noun or after a linking verb.
There have been continual demands to cut costs.
He still smoked despite the continual warnings of his nurse.
There was a continuous background noise.
Breathing should be slow and continuous.
If you are describing something undesirable which continues to happen or exist without stopping, it is better to use continual rather than continuous.
Life is a continual struggle.
She was in continual pain.
‘continual’ or ‘continuous’
If you are describing something undesirable which continues to happen or exist without stopping, it is better to use continual rather than continuous.
Life is a continual struggle.
It was sad to see her the victim of continual pain.