Confusing Words: Contiguous (adjective) and Continuous (adjective)
Meaning:
Contiguous (sharing a common border; touching.)
Continuous (forming an unbroken whole; without interruption.)
Contiguous vs Continuous Clarification: The two words have similar spelling but carry completely different meanings. They can not be used interchangeably.
Contiguous vs Continuous – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
Contiguous and continuous are just one-letter apart. Both of these words are totally different from each other in terms of meaning and even in pronunciation. Maybe, it is because of the spelling that makes them confused.
Let us define these terms one by one with examples.
Contiguous
Contiguous is used as an adjective within a sentence. It is used to describe such things that are connected to each other and there is no boundary between them. Contiguous is synonymous with adjoining or adjacent.
1. There are almost 100 contiguous houses in every street of my district.
2. The 2015-16 El Niño Pacific Ocean warming event has faded into history, but the globe still saw its fourth warmest February in the satellite global temperature record, including the warmest February in that time for the contiguous 48 U.S. states, according to Dr. John Christy, director of the Earth System Science Center at The University of Alabama in Huntsville. (News WOKV)
Note: I have seen many people using ‘contiguous with’, which is incorrect to use within sentences. You should use ‘contiguous to’ instead of ‘contiguous with’.
Contiguous to = Correct
Contiguous with = Incorrect
Continuous
Continuous is used as an adjective within a sentence. It is used to describe something that is formed without any interruption. Continuous is synonymous with unbroken, constant, or nonstop.
1. There is a continuous noise coming from the back side of this room.
2. The twins are talented, quality people who have shown continuous improvement in all aspects of their game since joining the Canucks. (Dave Nonis)
Note: Remember one thing that continuous describes such things that are uninterrupted, especially in time, space or events.
Check Out: The Difference Between Continually and Continuously.
What Did You Learn?
Contiguous and continuous are very close in spelling and pronunciation that drag them in the category of confused words. Contiguous describes things that are adjoining or adjacent. Continuous, on the other hand, describes things in time, space or events that are uninterrupted or unbroken.
Quiz
Fill the blanks using contiguous and continuous.
1. Life is a _________ learning process.
2. __________ School zones.
3. __________ noise.
4. This district has three __________ neighbors.
Answers: 1. Continuous, 2. Contiguous, 3. Continuous, and 4. Contiguous.