这些形容词均有“连续的”、“不断的”之意。
continual : 强调重复或持续发生，但连续之间允许有间断。
- He was in a continual process of rewriting his material.
他一直在不断地改写他的材料。
continuous : 语意最强，强调在时间和空间上没有间断。
- She was in continuous employment until the age of sixty-five.
她连续不断地受雇于人，一直工作到六十五岁。
successive : 强调事物一个接一个地发生，无间断。
- This was their fourth successive win.
这是他们连续第四次获胜。 - Successive governments have tried to tackle the problem.
历届政府都试图解决这个问题。
constant : 多指习惯性的重复和不变的持续。
- constant interruptions
无休止的干扰 - a constant stream of visitors all day
整天络绎不绝的游客
persistent : 普通用词，可指不懈的努力，也可指任何连续不断或重复出现的事物。
- How do you deal with persistent salesmen who won't take no for an answer?
你怎么对付那些不轻言放弃、一直纠缠下去的推销员？ - a persistent offender
惯犯 - Her position as national leader has been weakened by persistent fears of another coup attempt.
由于人们一直担心会再次发生政变,她的国家领导人地位被削弱了。
