fated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fated' can be used in written English.
It is an adjective used to describe a situation or event that is believed to have been determined before it happens. Example sentence: We were fated to cross paths again after so many years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

If we do not give every young person the skills and knowledge they need we will lock in a two-tier economy Ed Miliband "The generational question facing us is whether we are fated to be an economy and a country in which a few people do fabulously well, while most people work harder and harder just to keep their place," he said.

The Guardian

ONE of the most hated men in Britain gave a speech on April 23rd that was fated to remind Britons why they so hate him.

The Economist

URUGUAY, lying just across the muddy waters of the River Plate from Argentina, has been fated in recent decades both to be buffeted by, and to benefit from, its big neighbour's secular instability.

The Economist

And anyone reading Mr Atkinson's thoughtful books will come to the realisation that soldiers are fated, like Sisyphus, to relive the same events again and again.

The Economist

It is not fated to spill over into general sectarian violence.

The Economist

The rule-makers are fated to be one step behind.Nonetheless, improvements are possible.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Since her ill-fated 2008 run for vice-president, Sarah Palin and her family have been a constant television presence, appearing in their own reality show and, more recently, on her very own Sarah Palin channel.

The Guardian

Things start falling apart for Rhodes when his doctor chum Leander Starr Jameson (Basil Sydney) mounts the ill-fated Jameson Raid on Paul Kruger (Oscar Homolka)'s Transvaal.

The Guardian - Film

The BBC had been scarred by several failures to create a popular soap, including the ill-fated ferry drama Triangle, which lasted three series.

The Guardian

Tribune, the survivor of an ill-fated takeover by Sam Zell and a subsequent bankruptcy, started its first week as a new company.

The Guardian - Opinion

As Isis has rampaged through the region, it has been led by men who spent time in US detention centres during the American occupation of Iraq – in addition to Bucca, the US also ran Camp Cropper, near Baghdad airport, and, for an ill-fated 18 months early in the war, Abu Ghraib prison on the capital's western outskirts.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fated" to add a sense of destiny or inevitability to your writing. It's particularly effective when describing events that seem predetermined or unavoidable.

Common error

Avoid confusing "fated", which means destined, with "fatal", which means causing death. Using the wrong word can drastically alter the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "fated" primarily functions as a modifier, describing a noun or event as being predetermined or inevitable. As Ludwig highlights, it adds a sense of destiny to the subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "fated" signifies a predetermined or inevitable outcome, as identified by Ludwig. While grammatically correct, its usage is relatively uncommon, primarily appearing in news and media contexts to imbue a sense of destiny or lack of control. Understanding the distinction between "fated" and "fatal" is crucial to avoid errors. Related phrases like "destined" or "meant to be" offer nuanced alternatives depending on the intended connotation. Ludwig's analysis confirms that "fated" serves to emphasize predestination in various narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destined

Emphasizes a predetermined course or outcome, suggesting a sense of purpose or inevitability.

foreordained

Highlights the idea of being decided or determined in advance, often by a higher power or fate.

predestined

Implies that an event or outcome was decided beforehand, leaving little room for alteration.

meant to be

Suggests a sense of inevitability and purpose, often in romantic or fateful contexts.

inevitable

Focuses on the impossibility of avoiding a particular outcome.

preordained

Similar to 'foreordained', with a strong emphasis on divine or supernatural determination.

doomed

Implies a negative or unfortunate predetermined outcome.

bound to happen

Highlights the certainty and inevitability of an event occurring.

written in the stars

Conveys a sense of destiny and cosmic inevitability.

unavoidable

Stresses the impossibility of preventing something from happening.

FAQs

How is "fated" used in a sentence?

"Fated" describes something destined to happen. For example: "They were "fated" to meet despite the distance."

What's the difference between "destined" and "fated"?

While both imply a predetermined outcome, "fated" often carries a stronger sense of inevitability or even doom, while "destined" can suggest a more positive or purposeful predetermination.

What are some alternatives to "fated"?

You can use alternatives like "destined", "foreordained", or "meant to be" depending on the context.

Can "fated" be used in both positive and negative contexts?

Yes, although it's often used in contexts suggesting an unavoidable outcome, which can be either positive (e.g., a "fated" romance) or negative (e.g., a "fated" tragedy).