Automatically

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Automatically" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that occurs without human intervention or as a result of a specific trigger. Example: "The software updates automatically every night to ensure you have the latest features."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If it was not, the whole ride should have automatically shut down".

The Guardian

This is the notion that openness is a certain good, and that "free" is automatically aligned with "freedom" – a faith that's hard to maintain in the light of the consequences of putting so much of our identities into the hands of third (and fourth, and fifth) parties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Now, every time the master branch is tagged vN.NN a new version will automatically ship.

The Guardian

Other features include automatically emailing you when your builds finish, and updating the widget on GitHub pull requests with the build status.

The Guardian

A man already known for his chillaxing tendencies, Dave has spent much of the campaign going through the motions, as if he believed that by constantly repeating "competence or chaos" he would automatically be given back the keys to No 10.

The Guardian - Opinion

Livingstone's bid to mobilise and lead the opposition to Johnson has to be taken seriously, but none of us should think that he's going to automatically abandon the struggle to claim that progressive majority and just fall back on his suburban doughnut.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it might not actually be that I want your knowledge: I want whoever is the best authority on this to help me, and Evernote theoretically knows that, and could figure out who knows the most about the thing that I'm writing and automatically get access to those people's knowledge".

The Guardian - Tech

And now the first pictures have begun to emerge taken with Google Glass and then apparently posted automatically to Twitter with the hashtag #throughglass.

The Guardian - Tech

Why didn't he automatically see us as human beings?

The Guardian

By the appearance of the 12th imam, Israel would be wiped out automatically".

The Guardian

The snapping feature, which automatically resizes windows on the desktop to fill part or all of the screen, has been enhanced, allowing tiling of windows, snapping side-by-side and an array of new layouts to including virtual multi-desktop modes to try to help computer and tablet users be more productive with both universal apps and traditional desktop Windows apps.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "automatically" to clearly convey that an action occurs without manual intervention, ensuring clarity in technical or procedural descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "automatically" when the action requires human input or decision-making, as this can mislead readers about the level of automation involved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "automatically" is as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adverbs, or clauses, indicating that an action is performed without conscious thought or external control. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use in describing automated processes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Tech

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Travel

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "automatically" functions as an adverb to describe actions occurring without manual intervention, a fact supported by Ludwig AI. Its usage is common across various contexts, especially within News & Media. While grammatically correct, careful consideration should be given to context to avoid misrepresenting the level of automation. Consider alternatives like "autonomously" or "by default" for nuanced meanings. To ensure clear communication, use "automatically" to specify operations requiring no manual steps.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Autonomously

Implies self-governance and decision-making in the action, adding a layer of independence.

By default

Indicates a pre-set or standard action that occurs unless specified otherwise, adding a conditional aspect.

Instinctively

Implies an inherent, unlearned response, shifting focus to natural behavior.

Without prompting

Highlights the lack of external stimulus required for the action.

Spontaneously

Suggests an impulsive action without premeditation, differing from programmed action.

Of its own accord

Emphasizes the self-initiated nature of the action, often implying independence.

Mechanically

Highlights a process performed without thought or feeling, focusing on the operational aspect.

As a matter of course

Indicates something that happens regularly and predictably, due to established procedure.

Involuntarily

Stresses a lack of conscious control over the action, focusing on unintentional behavior.

By rote

Suggests a habitual and repetitive action done without thinking, focusing on routine.

FAQs

How can I use "automatically" in a sentence?

Use "automatically" to describe an action that happens by itself, without direct human intervention. For example: "The system "automatically" updates at midnight."

What are some alternatives to "automatically"?

Alternatives to "automatically" include "by default", "autonomously", or "spontaneously", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the process is automatically done"?

While grammatically correct, it's more concise and common to say "the process is done automatically" or "the process happens "automatically"".

What's the difference between "automatically" and "manually"?

"Automatically" implies an action occurs without human intervention, while "manually" means the action requires direct human control or effort.