inevitably
gb/ɪnˈɛvətəbli/ us/ɪnˈɛvətəbli/
B2
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
property
1
In a way that cannot be avoided
Used when something is sure to happen and you cannot stop it.
Usage pattern:
[something] inevitably [verb/action]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'inevitably' with 'eventually'. 'Eventually' means something will happen at some point, but not necessarily that it cannot be avoided.
Synonyms
unavoidably (More formal and less common in everyday speech than 'inevitably', but with the same core meaning.)
|
certainly (Stronger sense of assurance, but can be used for both avoidable and unavoidable events.)
Antonyms
avoidably (Indicates that something can be prevented, opposite of 'inevitably'.)
|
possibly (Suggests uncertainty rather than certainty.)
Collocations
will inevitably lead
|almost inevitably
|inevitably result
|inevitably happen
|inevitably follow
Themes
time
|cause and effect
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The team's poor preparation will inevitably lead to failure.
- As the days grew shorter, winter inevitably arrived.
- Inevitably, the meeting ran over time.
- Changes in technology will inevitably affect the job market.
- He knew that, inevitably, he would have to make a decision.
Learner examples
- It will inevitably rain if those clouds stay.
- She will inevitably be late if she leaves now.
- If you eat too much, you will inevitably feel sick.
- Winter inevitably comes after autumn.
Grammar
Dictionary form
inevitably
IPA
GB/ɪnˈɛvətəbli/
US/ɪnˈɛvətəbli/
Syllables & stress
in - ev - it - ably (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ev)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: inevitably
- Plural: inevitablies
Word family
Forms
inevitablies
noun
Core family
inevitable
adjective B2
inevitability
noun
Related words
unavoidable
adjective
unavoidably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
avoidable
adjective
Expressions
almost inevitably
1/ˈɔlmˌoʊst ɪnˈɛvətəbli/
fixed phrase
Very likely and hard to avoid
Used to say that something is very likely to happen and hard to stop.
Examples
- If you skip breakfast, you'll almost inevitably feel tired before lunch.
- Such a plan would almost inevitably cause problems.
as inevitably as
1/ˈæz ɪnˈɛvətəbli ˈæz/
fixed phrase
Comparing certainty of events
Used to compare how certain two events are.
Examples
- As inevitably as night follows day, the rumors began.
- The river flooded, as inevitably as it had every spring.
will inevitably lead to
1/wˈɪl ɪnˈɛvətəbli lˈid tə/
fixed phrase
Cause something unavoidable in the future
Used to say that one thing will cause another thing that cannot be avoided.
Examples
- Poor planning will inevitably lead to delays.
- Too much stress will inevitably lead to health problems.