eventuality

USAGE SUMMARY

‘eventuality’ is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a likely future event or state of affairs, often one that is viewed as undesirable or unpleasant. Example sentence: We must prepare for every eventuality in order to succeed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But we trained with the eventuality of going down to 10 men so it was nothing new.

The Guardian - Sport

Many Russian Twitter users joked that Blatter would probably be offered a juicy job at a Russian state corporation, an eventuality that is not beyond the realms of possibility.

The Guardian - Sport

The Egyptians and Saudis are coordinating a joint military response to deal with any eventuality in Yemen, including the disruption of shipping through the corridor that runs past Yemen to Egypt's Suez canal, the officials said.

The Guardian

Some officials have said this eventuality is not as dangerous as it might have been three years ago.

The Guardian

ZANU-PF is keen to avoid such an eventuality, knowing that it would almost certainly lose, unless the poll was as blatantly rigged as it has been in every election since 2000.

The Economist

Chinese manufacturers that have tried to undercut Nokia have had their fingers burned.Mr Lindberg believes that Nokia's fate is to end up as "a leader in handsets, but not the leader", and that it should start preparing for this eventuality now.

The Economist

That sort of structural autarky represents a huge functional constraint; building machines that must carry the equipment to detect everything they'll need to detect to do their jobs, process the incoming information, and draw upon an internal database that covers most every eventuality greatly limits the functions that can economically be done by robots.

The Economist

It is precisely this eventuality that Mr Netanyahu is preparing against.

The Economist

It is increasingly likely, however, that the need for the IMF's services will outstrip its resources an eventuality for which developed nations should begin preparing, given the ever larger role the Fund is playing in forestalling intense global crisis.Treasury continues to broaden its involvement in America's banking system.

The Economist

He stressed that the risks of such an eventuality were too great to ignore and that countries needed to prepare an "emergency plan".The governments themselves do not, at least publicly, rate the possibility of collapse very high.

The Economist

But the Democratic Front has said it would join a new "unified" Palestinian leadership were Mr Arafat to make good on his threat to declare a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza if there is no agreement by the end of Oslo's five-year interim period in May 1999.Is Mr Arafat resurrecting the PLO for such an eventuality?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "eventuality", consider whether a more specific term like "possibility", "scenario", or "outcome" would provide greater clarity. For instance, instead of saying "plan for every eventuality", specify "plan for different economic scenarios".

Common error

Avoid using "eventuality" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler words like "chance" or "possibility" are often more appropriate. Instead of saying "I considered the eventuality of rain", try "I thought it might rain".

Linguistic Context

The noun "eventuality" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a possible future event or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from various sources. The term often appears in contexts where planning or preparation is involved, highlighting potential scenarios that need to be considered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "eventuality" is a noun referring to a possible future event, often used in contexts where planning and preparation are key. Ludwig AI data demonstrates its frequent use in "News & Media", "Encyclopedias", and "Science", highlighting its versatility across different registers. While generally neutral, it's advisable to consider simpler alternatives in casual settings. When using "eventuality", ensure it aligns with a specific, anticipated potential event, and explore related phrases like "possible scenario" or "potential outcome" for greater precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

future possibility

General term for something that might happen later.

potential outcome

Emphasizes the result or consequence of a situation.

possible scenario

Focuses on a specific sequence of events that could unfold.

likely prospect

Suggests a high probability of occurrence.

plausible development

Highlights the believability of a future unfolding.

contingent circumstance

Highlights the dependence of an event on other factors.

imminent likelihood

Emphasizes that something will probably happen soon.

conceivable occurrence

Suggests something is imaginable, even if unlikely.

event that may transpire

Formal phrasing of a potential future event.

a matter of time

Indicates inevitability, focusing on when, not if, something will happen.

FAQs

How can I use "eventuality" in a sentence?

You can use "eventuality" to refer to a possible future event or outcome, often one that is undesirable. For instance, "The company prepared for the eventuality of a recession."

What words are similar to "eventuality"?

Alternatives to "eventuality" include "possibility", "prospect", "scenario", and "outcome". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "eventuality" a formal word?

"Eventuality" is generally considered a formal word, suitable for academic, business, and news contexts. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives may be preferable.

What is the difference between "eventuality" and "possibility"?

"Eventuality" often implies a more concrete or anticipated potential event, whereas "possibility" is a broader term for anything that could happen. "We planned for the eventuality of a strike" suggests a specific, expected potential event. "possibility" is anything that could happen.