eternally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'eternally' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that exists without end or something that is happening or will happen without an end. For example, "The bond between a parent and child is eternal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even if the universe is created in time, and even if a timelessly eternal God eternally creates the universe by willing a temporal succession of events without changing his will, he has a timeless relation to each of these.

SEP

Furthermore, where Hegel takes the work of the negative to be dialectic's driving power, Deleuze declares that difference is thinkable only as repetition repeating itself (as in Nietzsche's eternal return), where difference affirms itself in eternally differing from itself.

SEP

But because God is eternal and is not subject to change, the ideas must be eternally present in him, although creatures exist for only a finite period of time.

SEP

When Labour loses an election there is a tendency on the left to first indulge in the wisdom of hindsight, and then to project the party's failures eternally into the future.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Thursday night there was a perfectly sane-sounding former trade minister on Channel 4 news explaining what amazing soft power the Duke wields, and how immensely valuable his activities are to that eternally vague-sounding entity UK plc.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are eternally in his debt for his wonderful ongoing support".

The Guardian

Eternally pushing the boulder up the hill, because [my music's] not the culture.

The Guardian - Music

So the eternally boyish Belgian (24) experienced what might have been in store for Andy Murray had the Scot not withdrawn from their third-round match on Thursday to give him a walkover.

The Guardian - Sport

Shirt dresses are eternally chic, sexy, smart and stylish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If Kim Jong Il and his princeling son had been calculating the force and timing of their recent military aggressions with an assumption that Beijing regards them as being eternally useful, they may now have a rethink coming.Not all of the WikiLeaks trove is so useful, however.

The Economist

Mr Osborne's statement shattered and reversed the orthodoxy, which took hold in the last decade, that public spending must grow eternally.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "eternally" to emphasize the timeless or never-ending nature of a concept, relationship, or state. For example, "The principles of mathematics are eternally true."

Common error

Avoid using "eternally" when "always" or "constantly" would be more appropriate. "Eternally" best suits situations involving abstract or philosophical concepts, not merely frequent occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "eternally" is to act as an adverb. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate that something happens without end or recurs constantly. Ludwig AI indicates the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "eternally" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb, according to Ludwig AI, that denotes something lasting forever or recurring without end. Its primary function is to emphasize timelessness or constant repetition. While versatile, it finds its most suitable applications in formal and scientific contexts, often relating to abstract concepts or enduring qualities. Consider alternatives like "forevermore" or "perpetually" for nuanced expressions. Use "eternally" to highlight the never-ending nature of a concept, but avoid overusing it in contexts where simpler adverbs like "always" or "constantly" suffice. Common sources include The Economist, The Guardian and academic publications like the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forevermore

Highlights a sense of timeless duration, similar to "eternally", but with a slightly more literary or formal tone.

everlastingly

Emphasizes the unending nature of something, closely mirroring the meaning of "eternally" but with a stronger emphasis on continuous existence.

in perpetuity

Expresses a state of endless duration, often used in legal or formal contexts, indicating that something continues indefinitely.

enduringly

Focuses on the lasting quality of something, suggesting it withstands the test of time and remains relevant or present.

unendingly

Directly conveys the absence of an end, highlighting the continuous and limitless nature of something.

perpetually

Implies a constant and ongoing state, often used to describe something that happens repeatedly or without cessation.

incessantly

Stresses the uninterrupted and relentless nature of an action or state, often used to describe something that continues without pause.

constantly

Indicates something that occurs regularly and without significant breaks, emphasizing the consistent nature of its presence or action.

always

A common and versatile term for indicating something that happens at all times or on every occasion, conveying a sense of regularity and consistency.

for good

Suggests a permanent and irreversible change or state, indicating that something is set to remain in its current condition indefinitely.

FAQs

How can I use "eternally" in a sentence?

"Eternally" is used as an adverb to describe something that lasts forever or is constantly recurring. For example, "She will be "eternally grateful" for your help."

What's a good alternative to "eternally"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "forevermore", "everlastingly", or "perpetually" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "eternally" when referring to something that happens repeatedly?

While "eternally" can imply recurrence, it's best reserved for situations where the repetition is perceived as constant and without end. Words like "always" or "constantly" might be more suitable for describing simple repeated actions.

What is the difference between "eternally" and "infinitely"?

"Eternally" implies duration without end, usually in the context of time. "Infinitely" refers to a quantity or extent without limit. While related, they are not always interchangeable. For example, a love can last "eternally" but a space can be infinite.