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In and of Itself
Continual vs. Continuous
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In this week’s newsletter we’ll review two classic topics that continually draw comments from our readers.
In and of Itself
To many people, the phrase in and of itself sounds clunky and
old-fashioned. However, when used sparingly—and correctly—it
serves a purpose.
Example:
The weather was not, in and of itself, the cause of the traffic delays.
vs.
The weather was not the cause of the traffic delays.
In both sentences, we understand not to blame the weather for the traffic
delays, but the first sentence tells us that the weather played some part
in the traffic delays. The second sentence tells us that the weather had nothing to do with the traffic delays.
Continual
vs. Continuous
Continual
means repeated but with breaks in between; chronic.
Example:
The continual problem of our car not starting forced us to sell it.
Continuous
means without interruption in an unbroken stream of time or space.
Example:
The continuous dripping of the faucet drove me crazy.
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Wordplay
One situation where "Your welcome" is correct!
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