Ultimately

USAGE SUMMARY

Ultimately is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean "in the end" or "at last" and sometimes to introduce a final point in a discussion. Example sentence: Ultimately, it is each person's own responsibility to make sure they are safe in their online activities.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Let us assure you that the Government will do all we can to defeat the voices of division, but ultimately the challenges of integration and radicalisation cannot be solved from Whitehall alone.

The Guardian

I had to admit that it would actually cost the government more for a woman not to be in prostitution, but ultimately these are your citizens.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Billy Elliot winningly forsook his mining heritage to pursue a post-industrial career in ballet, pirouetting past the picketlines, but his dream was ultimately embraced by the community, whose whip-round gets him to the big London audition.

The Guardian - Film

Formally, Valencia still have a €230m debt and face a significant challenge to finish the new stadium, if they do ultimately do so, and sell the old one.

The Guardian - Sport

But, of course, ultimately the solution lies in a political settlement.

The Guardian

After all, conflict and power-plays are ultimately about people, not about the weapons that act on our behalf.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ultimately, for me this whole issue is not about whether we care about civil liberties, but how we care for them in the modern world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Graduates who earn more will repay more each month, so the system is fair and affordable; and those who enter a more lucrative profession will pay a higher rate of interest, and ultimately contribute more to the cost of their university education.

The Guardian

"Ultimately they could build new shared infrastructure, a 'super-network'.

The Guardian

It seems obvious that the happiness of our citizens is what ultimately matters (though if you believe that the rights of non-human animals are just as important then I might be sympathetic to such a caveat).

The Guardian

"Ultimately we are looking to build up a solid foundation of expertise among commissioners so they commissioning can be done expertly and consistently," she says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ultimately" to signal the final or most important point in a sequence of arguments or events. It provides a sense of closure or resolution to your writing.

Common error

Avoid starting sentences with "ultimately" simply as a habit. Ensure it genuinely adds value by emphasizing the concluding nature of the statement, rather than acting as a mere transition.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "ultimately" functions as a sentence adverb, modifying the entire clause to express that the statement represents the final result, most important point, or long-term consequence. Ludwig AI indicates that its use is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "ultimately" is a versatile term used to indicate a final result or most important consideration. Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. While most frequently found in news and media sources, it also appears in formal business and scientific writing, maintaining a neutral to professional tone. Remember to use "ultimately" to genuinely emphasize the concluding nature of a statement, and avoid overuse as a filler word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in conclusion

This phrase is more formal and is typically used to signal the end of a discussion or argument.

in the final analysis

This alternative emphasizes a thorough examination leading to a conclusion.

after careful consideration

This indicates a decision reached after thorough deliberation and thought.

when all is said and done

This alternative emphasizes a comprehensive review of all factors involved.

fundamentally

This alternative focuses on the basic or essential nature of something.

at the end of the day

This phrase suggests a return to essential considerations after other factors have been accounted for.

in the long run

This phrase highlights the consequences or outcomes that are revealed over a significant period.

eventually

This alternative simply points to a future outcome without specific emphasis on analysis or importance.

in essence

This emphasizes the core or most important aspect of something.

sooner or later

This suggests that something is bound to happen, though the timing isn't definite.

FAQs

How to use "ultimately" in a sentence?

"Ultimately" is used to indicate the final result or most important consequence of a series of events or arguments. For example, "Ultimately, the decision rests with the manager".

What can I say instead of "ultimately"?

You can use alternatives like "in the end", "eventually", or "finally", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "ultimately" or "in the ultimate"?

"Ultimately" is the correct adverb form. "In the ultimate" is less common and generally refers to something being the best or most extreme of its kind.

What's the difference between "ultimately" and "basically"?

"Ultimately" points to a final outcome or conclusion, while "basically" refers to the fundamental or essential aspects of something. They are not interchangeable.