Two simple adverbs trip me up every time. Whether I’m writing or editing content, I have to look them up: continually and continuously.

They have such close meanings, but they’re not interchangeable. It seems I’m not alone, as I continually find incorrect usage in a variety of content. Do you know the difference?

Continually means a steady repetition – something that happens frequently or regularly. Here are two examples:

In B2B marketing, it’s essential to continually assess market trends and adjust strategies to stay competitive.

Companies should continually invest in professional development to help B2B marketers stay updated on industry best practices and emerging technologies.

Continuously means uninterrupted – something that happens without stopping. Here are two examples:

The B2B marketing landscape is continuously evolving, necessitating that we all remain agile and flexible.

The global competition for the top 10 website designs ran continuously for four months.

The next time you create content, be sure to look up these adverbs continually if you’re uncertain about how to use them.