But predictably

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "But predictably" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a statement that is expected or anticipated based on previous information or context. Example: "The team struggled to meet the deadline, but predictably, the project was delayed further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, predictably, several whoops emerged from the crowd.

The New Yorker

But, predictably, the biggest challenge has been funding.

The Guardian

But predictably, not everyone agreed that he should be pardoned.

The Guardian - Opinion

But predictably, not everything has turned out as expected.

The Guardian - Opinion

But, predictably, there is much more to it than that.

The Guardian - Opinion

But "Predictably Irrational" is a far more revolutionary book than its unthreatening manner lets on.

The New York Times - Books

But, predictably, British newspapers complained that it is too minimalist or not daring enough.

The New York Times

But predictably, he was sharper about what he saw as the failures of Mr. Sarkozy and other European leaders.

The New York Times

But — predictably — their behavior was erratic: they were often drunk and saw him as somebody from whom they could cadge money, food or cigarettes.

The New York Times

But predictably, Johnston didn't move fast enough, even as Pemberton was clumsily trying to comply with Johnston's order to move on Grant's rear.

The New York Times

But, predictably, seeing as they hold the record for current top-flight longevity, the nature of their promotion that year is controversial, to say the least.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "But predictably" to smoothly transition from a setup or expectation to its logical, often unsurprising, outcome. It enhances narrative flow by connecting cause and effect in an expected manner.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences or paragraphs with "But predictably", as it can become repetitive and reduce the impact of the phrase. Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "But predictably" functions as an adverbial connector, linking a preceding statement with a subsequent outcome that was anticipated. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it introduces a sense of inevitability or expected consequence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "But predictably" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to connect contrasting ideas with an element of anticipation or expected outcome. As shown by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While highly useful for linking ideas, it's advisable to use it judiciously to avoid redundancy. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is usable in written English to introduce a statement that is expected or anticipated based on previous information or context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As expected

This alternative is a more concise way to indicate that an outcome was anticipated.

Unsurprisingly

This alternative emphasizes the lack of surprise at the outcome.

Not surprisingly

This alternative is a direct negation of surprise, similar in meaning to 'unsurprisingly'.

Predictably enough

This option places emphasis on the predictability of the situation.

As anticipated

Similar to 'as expected', this highlights the anticipation of the event.

It was foreseeable that

A more formal way of expressing that something was likely to happen.

It comes as no surprise

This phrase is a more emphatic way of saying something was not unexpected.

In a predictable turn of events

This option emphasizes the sequence of events as being predictable.

As one might expect

This alternative indicates a general expectation among people.

Sure enough

This alternative indicates that something happened exactly as predicted.

FAQs

How can I use "But predictably" in a sentence?

"But predictably" is used to introduce an outcome that was expected or foreseeable given the circumstances. For example, "The company faced numerous challenges, but predictably, profits declined."

What are some alternatives to "But predictably"?

Alternatives include "as expected", "unsurprisingly", or "predictably enough". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "But predictably"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "But" is a coordinating conjunction that can start a sentence, and "predictably" is an adverb that modifies the following clause.

What is the difference between "But predictably" and "However, predictably"?

"But predictably" emphasizes the contrast with an expected outcome. "However, predictably" also highlights a contrast, but with a slightly more formal tone and emphasis on the contrast itself. They are largely interchangeable, though the former is more concise.