What are the differences between continuation, continuance and continuity?

Question

What are the differences between continuation, continuance and continuity? Which is most used and which is unsual in English?

Delmobile · Accepted Answer

Hmmm. This is a tough one!

"Continuation" apparently has a specific meaning in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuation. Otherwise, it's a bureaucrat-ese kind of word: "This project is basically a continuation of our work from the 2006-2006 fiscal year."

I have never heard "continuance" outside of a legal context: "The judge granted a continuance of the trial until the following week, in order to give the defense time to examine the newly introduced evidence."

"Continuity" means the process of one thing continuing into another. Web sites discussing film and TV, for example, often list "continuity goofs;" for instance, when the actor is seen to drink half a glass of milk in one scene, but the next shot (presumably edited in from several takes) shows the glass to be full. "Our children's school is trying an interesting experiment; the students will have the same teacher for kindergarten through third grade, instead of changing teachers each year. The administration hopes this kind of continuity will be beneficial for the students."

Of the three, I'd say I use "continuity" most often; it's an economical way to express a very particular idea. I rarely have call to use "continuance," and as for "continuation," I'd probably be more likely to say something like, "Isn't this just them continuing the same thing they started under the last adminstration?" even though that sounds pretty bad.

BarbaraPA · Answer

Belly, how did you envision using these words in a sentence? That would help us, in addition to the excellent advice from Delmobile.

Belly · Answer

Hi,

Thanks for your wonderful advice, Delmobile

In fact, I've never encountered 2 of them. I must say that, definion in dicitionaries confused me

Verade · Answer

I might use "this is just a continuation of your usual whining!"  (Of course I don't mean you, Belly!) I remember saying this to a grandchild recently. She's actually a very nice grandchild, but sometimes...oh dear!

Belly · Answer

VeradeI might use "this is just a continuation of your usual whining!" (Of course I don't mean you, Belly!) I remember saying this to a grandchild recently. She's actually a very nice grandchild, but sometimes...oh dear!

Can I use: continuatity here?

Verade · Answer

No. That is not a word, as far as I know

Belly · Answer

VeradeNo. That is not a word, as far as I know

Sorry, typo, it is continuity

Verade · Answer

No. I don't know why.

What are the differences between continuation, continuance and continuity?

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