dependably

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "dependably" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that can be relied upon consistently. Example: "She always arrives at work dependably, ensuring that the team can count on her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That burning question apart, the rest of the season looks fairly tame: a celebration of the 70th anniversary of "Rodeo" (I suppose we must); Mark Morris's "Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes" (enjoyable); a revival of José Limón's "Moor's Pavane" (worthy); Tudor's "Leaves Are Fading" (depends on the cast); Twyla Tharp's "In the Upper Room" (dependably exhilarating).

The New York Times - Arts

The rest of the season includes a celebration of the 70th anniversary of "Rodeo" (I suppose we must); Mark Morris's "Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes" (enjoyable); a revival of José Limón's "Moor's Pavane" (worthy); Tudor's "Leaves Are Fading" (depends on the cast); Twyla Tharp's "In the Upper Room" (dependably exhilarating).

The New York Times - Arts

Police are dependably good at reporting certain numbers.

The Guardian

They must be unaware that the builders of the Dome, which was also justified as an inspiration to the nation's youth, long ago showed that reliance on this word, outside the context of wills, dependably identifies both the speaker and the alleged inheritance as worthless.

The Guardian - Opinion

The fringe events were flat, though at one of them the dependably fascinating backbencher Jon Cruddas managed to launch a critique of Labour's electoral predicament via an analogy about the great Portugese footballer Luis Figo.

The Economist

Of the desultory crew of candidates being mooted, the three most likely share a salient characteristic: they are dependably "pro-Beijing".

The Economist

The whisky was dependably drinkable even in jungle climes.

The Economist

Although small films can do astonishingly well (the latest is "Paranormal Activity", a cheap thriller that has sold more than $100m-worth 100m-worthtickets in America alofe), they do not do so at all dependably.

The Economist

But boundary changes since the last election in 2004 have inconveniently added a new slab to Wentworth, in which voters are less dependably conservative than those in the old Wentworth.

The Economist

Less visible these days, gangsters have largely moved into legitimate business and officialdom for a quieter and more dependably lucrative life, but they still have powerful networks of connections.To make things more complicated still, all the above, far from being monoliths, are ramshackle coalitions of different interests.

The Economist

And Swiss chocolate will be dependably delicious.In those and all kinds of other ways, Switzerland is special.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dependably" to emphasize the consistent and reliable nature of an action or quality. It's particularly effective when highlighting predictable positive outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "dependably" in overly casual or informal settings where simpler adverbs like "reliably" or "consistently" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "dependably" functions primarily to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating that an action is performed or a quality is exhibited in a reliable and consistent manner. According to Ludwig AI, it describes something that can be relied upon consistently.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

13%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Academia

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dependably" is a versatile adverb that signifies reliability and consistency, often employed to assure predictable positive outcomes. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's generally considered grammatically correct and finds frequent usage in news, encyclopedias, and formal business contexts. While "reliably" and "consistently" offer similar meanings, "dependably" can carry a slightly stronger emphasis on predictability. When writing, ensure it aligns with the tone, as it may sound overly formal in very casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reliably

Focuses more on the consistency and trustworthiness of the action or object.

consistently

Highlights the unwavering nature of an action or result.

faithfully

Emphasizes loyalty and adherence to a standard or promise.

surely

Suggests confidence and a lack of doubt in the outcome.

predictably

Indicates that something happens in a way that is expected based on past occurrences.

in a trustworthy manner

Emphasizes the integrity and dependability of someone's actions.

with certainty

Implies a lack of doubt and a high degree of confidence.

like clockwork

Suggests that something happens with perfect regularity and precision.

without fail

Highlights the unwavering nature of something that always happens.

as expected

Emphasizes that something occurs in a way that aligns with expectations.

FAQs

How can I use "dependably" in a sentence?

You can use "dependably" to describe actions or qualities that are reliably consistent, such as "The company has dependably delivered high-quality products" or "He is a dependably honest person".

What's the difference between "reliably" and "dependably"?

While "reliably" and "dependably" are similar, "dependably" can sometimes imply a stronger sense of predictability and consistency over time.

Which is correct, "dependably" or "dependingly"?

"Dependably" is the correct adverb form of "dependable". "Dependingly" is not a standard English word.

What can I say instead of "dependably"?

You can use alternatives like "reliably", "consistently", or "faithfully" depending on the context.