all but inevitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "all but inevitable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that is almost certain to happen, with only a small chance of it not occurring. Example: "Given the current trends in climate change, a significant rise in sea levels is all but inevitable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Crushing as it was, Friday's result merely took him to an all but inevitable destination.

The Guardian

I then asked Ms Sturgeon whether today's developments made an independence referendum "all but inevitable".

BBC

This seems all but inevitable.

The Economist

Defeat in 1997 was all but inevitable.

The Guardian - Books

The resulting collapse was all but inevitable.

The New York Times

At this point, deep cuts are all but inevitable.

The New York Times

This made the American war all but inevitable.

The Economist

With the Jets, draft-day deals are all but inevitable.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

That sets up what seems to be an all-but-inevitable confrontation.

The New York Times

John Edwards' exit had been all-but-inevitable at least since the Nevada caucus.

The Guardian - Opinion

The success made a second movie all-but inevitable.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all but inevitable" when you want to convey a strong sense of certainty, but acknowledge that there's still a slight possibility of a different outcome. This adds nuance compared to simply saying something is "inevitable".

Common error

Avoid using "all but inevitable" when the outcome is genuinely uncertain or depends heavily on unpredictable factors. Using it in such cases weakens the impact of the phrase when you need it to express near-certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all but inevitable" functions primarily as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe an outcome or event that is almost certain to happen. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. The phrase highlights the high probability of the event occurring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "all but inevitable" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, predominantly found in news and media contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to describe situations with a high degree of certainty, though not absolute inevitability. The phrase is considered neutral to formal in register, making it suitable for a range of writing scenarios where conveying strong likelihood is crucial. To enhance your writing, remember to employ "all but inevitable" when you wish to express near certainty while acknowledging a slim chance of an alternative outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

virtually certain

Replaces "all but" with "virtually", emphasizing the high degree of certainty.

practically guaranteed

Uses "practically" to convey near certainty and replaces "inevitable" with "guaranteed", highlighting the assurance of the outcome.

almost certain

A more direct synonym, replacing "all but inevitable" with a simpler construction.

highly probable

Emphasizes the high likelihood of the event occurring.

on the cards

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is likely to happen.

a foregone conclusion

Indicates that the outcome is already decided or certain.

to be expected

Suggests that the event is predictable based on current circumstances.

assured

Highlights the certainty and lack of doubt about the outcome.

bound to happen

Conveys that the event is destined to occur.

cannot be avoided

Focuses on the impossibility of preventing the event from occurring.

FAQs

How can I use "all but inevitable" in a sentence?

You can use "all but inevitable" to describe an outcome that seems very likely to occur. For example: "Given the team's current performance, a victory is "all but inevitable"."

What's a good alternative to "all but inevitable"?

Alternatives to "all but inevitable" include "virtually certain", "almost certain", or "practically guaranteed". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "all but inevitably"?

"All but inevitably" can be used as an adverbial phrase, although it's less common than "all but inevitable" (the adjectival phrase). For example: "The project will all but inevitably face delays if funding is cut."

What is the difference between "all but inevitable" and "inevitable"?

"Inevitable" means certain to happen and impossible to avoid. "All but inevitable" suggests a very high likelihood, but leaves a small possibility of a different outcome. It conveys a slightly weaker degree of certainty than "inevitable".