ideally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ideally" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about the best possible outcome or way of doing something. For example: "Ideally, we would arrive at a compromise that would make everyone happy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There are 700 in Afghanistan and it is right that on occasions such as the Olympic Games, or in times of national emergency such as flood relief, they provide support, ideally based on their professional skill set.

The Guardian

I want the people fighting the corner for theatre, visual arts, music and museums to have had a taste of the unique thrills and frustrations of the creative sectors, to have witnessed first-hand the extraordinary way the arts affect individuals and communities – and ideally before they take up the brief and attempt to get up to speed (as Jarvis has been doing recently).

The Guardian

A UN or EU route, ideally in co-ordination, should provide for neutral monitors to be sent within 24 hours to guarantee eastern Ukraine's border with Russia.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ideally, they would like to live closer to the Côte d'Azur but it's expensive there.

The Guardian

"We've both said there was a current deficit at the time and ideally that should have been in surplus," she told Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4. Cooper and her husband, Ed Balls, were Treasury ministers at times in the Labour government.

The Guardian

"We would have ideally liked to be able to bid for the west coast sooner".

The Guardian - Business

Though ideally, everyone would have their own individual doctor, who would be with them at all times.

The Guardian - Books

Ideally we would like to stay here but that largely depends on the support that the city council come back with".

The Guardian - Sport

A Green party spokesman told the Guardian the 14-year rule was part of a "long-term vision, we have no plans to implement this in the near future" but added that the 14 years would ideally begin at the date of publication.

The Guardian

Ideally you're new, with the potential to become an overnight sensation; or something familiar already purchased in vast numbers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I am a very meticulous person and I am ideally suited to software testing," he said.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ideally" to introduce a desired or optimal outcome, but be realistic about potential limitations. For example, "Ideally, we'd launch the product next month, but we need to complete testing first."

Common error

Avoid using "ideally" when the described situation is highly improbable or unattainable. Doing so can make your writing sound naive or out of touch. Instead, consider using phrases like "it would be beneficial if" or "in a more realistic scenario".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "ideally" is to act as an adverb, modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb to express that a situation is as one would wish or hope. Ludwig AI indicates that the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ideally" functions as an adverb to express a preferred or optimal situation. As Ludwig AI states, it’s grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. It is very common in News & Media, Lifestyle and Sport domains. When using "ideally", be mindful of the context to ensure your writing sounds realistic. Alternatives include "preferably" and "optimally". While the term is widely applicable, avoid overuse in improbable scenarios to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Preferably

Indicates a favored choice among alternatives.

In an ideal situation

Directly references a specific situation being ideal.

Optimally

Focuses on achieving the best possible outcome or arrangement.

Ideally speaking

Adds a conversational tone while still expressing a preference.

In the best-case scenario

Highlights the most favorable set of circumstances.

In a perfect world

Emphasizes hypothetical perfection, similar to "ideally".

Under perfect circumstances

Specifies the conditions needed for an ideal outcome.

Perfectly

Highlights the flawless or complete nature of the desired state.

All things being equal

Indicates that the statement is true given fair assumptions.

Theoretically

Emphasizes the idea from a conceptual or hypothetical standpoint.

FAQs

How can I use "ideally" in a sentence?

"Ideally" is used to describe a situation or outcome that is the most desired or perfect scenario. For example, "Ideally, we should finish the project by Friday."

What are some alternatives to using "ideally"?

You can use alternatives like "preferably", "optimally", or "in a perfect world" to express similar ideas.

Is it better to use "ideally" or "in a perfect world"?

The choice depends on the context. "Ideally" is more direct and practical, while "in a perfect world" implies a more hypothetical or unrealistic situation.

What is the difference between "ideally" and "theoretically"?

"Ideally" describes the best possible outcome, while "theoretically" refers to what is possible in theory, even if it is not practical. For instance, "Ideally, the system would run without errors," versus "Theoretically, the system could handle that much data."