Continuation vs. Continuity — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 27, 2024
Continuation refers to the act of carrying on or extending something, while continuity emphasizes an unbroken, consistent existence or operation of something over time.
Difference Between Continuation and Continuity
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Continuation is the process of extending or carrying on something that has already started, focusing on the act of prolonging. Whereas, continuity refers to the quality of something that remains unchanged, uninterrupted, or consistent over time, highlighting the state of being continuous.
In the context of storytelling, a continuation often implies a sequel or an additional part that follows the original story, aiming to expand or extend the narrative. On the other hand, continuity within storytelling ensures that the narrative remains consistent and coherent, without any breaks or contradictions in the timeline or character development.
When discussing projects or operations, continuation signifies the act of proceeding with the work or initiative that has been begun, possibly after a pause or in a new phase. Whereas continuity emphasizes the seamless operation or progress of the project without any interruptions, ensuring a smooth flow over time.
In legal terms, a continuation can refer to an adjournment of proceedings to a future date, thereby extending the duration of the legal process. In contrast, continuity in a legal context might refer to the principle that legal rights or obligations persist without interruption, regardless of changes in circumstances.
Technologically, continuation could imply the development or update of a software or system, aiming to add features or improve performance. While, continuity in technology often relates to disaster recovery and business continuity planning, ensuring that operations can continue without interruption in case of unforeseen events.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The act of extending or carrying on something.
The state of being continuous, without interruption.
Focus
On prolonging or expanding.
On maintaining consistency and coherence.
Contextual Use
Sequels in media, legal adjournments, project phases.
Narrative consistency, operational smoothness, disaster recovery plans.
Outcome
Results in an extension or expansion of the original.
Ensures an unbroken, consistent existence or operation.
Key Consideration
Emphasizes the process or action of continuing.
Emphasizes the quality or state of being unbroken over time.
Compare with Definitions
Continuation
Resumption after pause.
The project's continuation was announced after a year-long hiatus.
Continuity
Narrative coherence.
The scriptwriter is responsible for maintaining story continuity.
Continuation
Legal adjournment.
The court granted a continuation of the trial to gather more evidence.
Continuity
Unbroken consistency.
The film series is known for its continuity in character development.
Continuation
Extension of something.
The continuation of the book series excited the fans.
Continuity
Seamless operation.
The company’s continuity plan ensured operations during the power outage.
Continuation
Continuing in a specified position.
His continuation as the CEO was confirmed by the board.
Continuity
Consistent existence.
The continuity of traditional practices is vital for cultural preservation.
Continuation
Further development.
The software received a continuation in the form of a comprehensive update.
Continuity
Uninterrupted duration.
His continuity of service in the organization spans three decades.
Continuation
In computer science, a continuation is an abstract representation of the control state of a computer program. A continuation implements (reifies) the program control state, i.e.
Continuity
The unbroken and consistent existence or operation of something over time
A consensus favouring continuity of policy
Continuation
The act or fact of going on or persisting
The continuation of the war.
Continuity
The maintenance of continuous action and self-consistent detail in the various scenes of a film or broadcast
A continuity error
Continuation
The state of continuing in the same condition, capacity, or place
The mayor's continuation in office.
Continuity
The state or quality of being continuous.
Continuation
An extension by which something is carried to a further point
The sequel was a continuation of the story that had been established in the first book of the series.
Continuity
An uninterrupted succession or flow; a coherent whole.
Continuation
The act or fact of beginning again after stopping; resumption
The continuation of the game after a rain delay.
Continuity
A detailed script or scenario consulted to avoid discrepancies from shot to shot in a film, allowing the various scenes to be shot out of order.
Continuation
The act or state of continuing or being continued; uninterrupted extension or succession
Continuity
Spoken matter serving to link parts of a radio or television program so that no break occurs.
Continuation
That which extends, increases, supplements, or carries on.
The continuation of a story
The series' continuation was commercially if not artistically successful.
Continuity
Lack of interruption or disconnection; the quality of being continuous in space or time.
Considerable continuity of attention is needed to read German philosophy.
Continuation
(programming) A representation of an execution state of a program at a certain point in time, which may be used at a later time to resume the execution of the program from that point.
Continuity
A characteristic property of a continuous function.
Continuation
(basketball) A successful shot that, despite a foul, is made with a single continuous motion beginning before the foul, and that is therefore valid in certain forms of basketball.
Continuity
(narratology) A narrative device in episodic fiction where previous and/or future events in a series of stories are accounted for in present stories.
Continuation
That act or state of continuing; the state of being continued; uninterrupted extension or succession; prolongation; propagation.
Preventing the continuation of the royal line.
Continuity
Consistency between multiple shots depicting the same scene but possibly filmed on different occasions.
Continuation
That which extends, increases, supplements, or carries on; as, the continuation of a story.
My continuation of the version of Statius.
Continuity
The announcements and messages inserted by the broadcaster between programmes.
Continuation
The act of continuing an activity without interruption
Continuity
The state of being continuous; uninterrupted connection or succession; close union of parts; cohesion; as, the continuity of fibers.
The sight would be tired, if it were attracted by a continuity of glittering objects.
Continuation
A part added to a book or play that continues and extends it
Continuity
Uninterrupted connection or union
Continuation
A Gestalt principle of organization holding that there is an innate tendence to perceive a line as continuing its established direction
Continuity
A detailed script used in making a film in order to avoid discontinuities from shot to shot
Continuation
The consequence of being lengthened in duration
Continuity
The property of a continuous and connected period of time
Common Curiosities
Can a project have both continuation and continuity?
Yes, a project can be extended (continuation) while maintaining a smooth, uninterrupted flow (continuity).
How does continuation differ from continuity in storytelling?
Continuation involves expanding the narrative, while continuity ensures the narrative's consistency.
Is continuity important in business operations?
Absolutely, as it ensures operations continue smoothly without interruption, even in unforeseen circumstances.
What does continuity mean?
The quality or state of being continuous and consistent over time.
Can a movie sequel be considered a continuation?
Yes, as it extends the story beyond the original film.
What is the significance of continuity in legal rights?
It ensures that legal rights or obligations remain effective without interruption.
What is a continuation?
An act of prolonging or extending something that has already started.
Can continuity be broken?
Yes, inconsistencies or disruptions can break continuity, affecting coherence.
How does legal continuation work?
It refers to the adjournment of legal proceedings to a later date.
Why is continuity planning crucial in technology?
To ensure that operations can continue without interruption in case of disasters.
Does continuity contribute to the success of a franchise?
Yes, maintaining narrative and character consistency is key to a franchise's success.
What role does continuity play in cultural practices?
It helps in preserving traditional practices and beliefs without interruption over time.
How does a writer maintain continuity in a series?
By keeping the timeline, character development, and story details consistent across all parts.
Why might an organization focus on both continuation and continuity?
To ensure that initiatives not only proceed and expand but do so in a consistent, uninterrupted manner.
How do continuation and continuity relate to project management?
Continuation refers to moving a project forward, while continuity ensures the project progresses smoothly without breaks.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
