A few years ago I posted an opportunity for improvement.
That is great Jim, I like it! It gets a bit tricky when you try and describe something as continualously happening, but I think I have got right (?)
A few years ago I posted an opportunity for improvement.
The fact that the word is difficult to pronounce is a feature, not a defect. It means that people won't use it so often.That is great Jim, I like it! It gets a bit tricky when you try and describe something as continualously happening, but I think I have got right (?)
True both words carry same meaning in common usage.But the QMS standard seems to see a difference.It has repeated the word'continual'15 times.From Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary
CONTINUAL
1 : continuing indefinitely in time without interruption <continual fear>
2 : recurring in steady usually rapid succession <a history of continual invasions>
–con·tin·u·al·ly adverb
synonyms: CONTINUAL, CONTINUOUS, CONSTANT, INCESSANT, PERPETUAL, PERENNIAL mean characterized by continued occurrence or recurrence. CONTINUAL often implies a close prolonged succession or recurrence <continual showers the whole weekend>. CONTINUOUS usually implies an uninterrupted flow or spatial extension <football's oldest continuous rivalry>.
CONTINUOUS
Synonyms: CONTINUAL, ceaseless, constant, endless, everlasting, interminable, perpetual, timeless, unceasing, unending
1 : marked by uninterrupted extension in space, time, or sequence
2 of a function : having the property that the absolute value of the numerical difference between the value at a given point and the value at any point in a neighborhood of the given point can be made as close to zero as desired by choosing the neighborhood small enough
synonyms see CONTINUAL
Hence NO DIFFERENCE.
True both words carry same meaning in common usage.But the QMS standard seems to see a difference. It has repeated the word 'continual' 15 times.
V.J.Brahmaiah
I want to stop this continuous discussion on the meaning of the wrrd 'continual' by quoting a dictionary meaning as follows:Yes, but to steal Jim Wynne's term; this has been discussed continualously, and we have seen no difference.
Stijloor.
Agree - I also caution against taking one of those split hairs and declaring it is almost never - indeed, close to can't - being done. What matters is that people set about constantly trying to do better. Boom, that's it. I don't care what you call it, and indeed most people won't know the difference between the two terms because they are so closely related.The fact of the matter is that to steadfastly defend such a (minor) difference does our profession no good, especially in the eyes of management! It matters not that you can split hairs over a definition! What matters - as far as management are concerned - is results. They get measured by results and care not about the minor differences in how you get them! It's all very well to adopt a highly principled position and quote references! Management don't operate that way!
I'd commend anyone who claims to be a quality professional to stop debating terminology and to start talking to management in terms they understand! That way we, as a profession can move forward instead of complaining that "bosses" don't get it!
That's such excellent advice, Andy, that I couldn't avoid quoting it in full. You are SO right - mostly, management just doesn't give a hoot about relatively fine distinctions, such as between continuous and continual. Yes, they are different, and yes, a dictionary will define those distinctions, and yes, quality professionals may (perhaps) know the difference between them. But spending a lot of time debating such distinctions is NOT where the biggest results lie, and most certainly won't get managment on side.The fact of the matter is that to steadfastly defend such a (minor) difference does our profession no good, especially in the eyes of management! It matters not that you can split hairs over a definition! What matters - as far as management are concerned - is results. They get measured by results and care not about the minor differences in how you get them! It's all very well to adopt a highly principled position and quote references! Management don't operate that way!
I'd commend anyone who claims to be a quality professional to stop debating terminology and to start talking to management in terms they understand! That way we, as a profession can move forward instead of complaining that "bosses" don't get it!
I don't care much what it's called either. If someone asks, I'll give 'em a quick definition, but put the focus, as you say so well, on the importance of trying to do better - ie, the improvement. Who really cares if someone says it's done 'continuously' vs 'continually'??What matters is that people set about constantly trying to do better. Boom, that's it. I don't care what you call it, and indeed most people won't know the difference between the two terms because they are so closely related.
The fact of the matter is that to steadfastly defend such a (minor) difference does our profession no good, especially in the eyes of management! It matters not that you can split hairs over a definition! What matters - as far as management are concerned - is results. They get measured by results and care not about the minor differences in how you get them! It's all very well to adopt a highly principled position and quote references! Management don't operate that way!
I'd commend anyone who claims to be a quality professional to stop debating terminology and to start talking to management in terms they understand! That way we, as a profession can move forward instead of complaining that "bosses" don't get it!
That (along with Jennifer and Jane's follow-ups) really should be the end of this topic - beautifully summed up and the most relevant and important post I've seen in a long time.