instinctively

USAGE SUMMARY

"instinctively" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe a behavior that happens without conscious thought, as if it were an instinct or intuition. For example: He instinctually avoided the food he disliked.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Oaklander surmises that itch evolved as a way for humans instinctively to rid themselves of dangerous insects.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Both instinctively understood the ruinous consequences of communism, socialism and excessive government regulation.

The Guardian

And having done so on 19 September he instinctively knew that a swift resignation would aid the SNP in the eight months between the referendum and the 2015 general election.

The Guardian

But they all have to remember what the sociologists sometimes call "white heritage elderly" Brits – younger ones too – who are untravelled, perhaps less educated and instinctively wary of this multicultural stuff, not least because they suffer the downside.

The Guardian

And German critics are always instinctively sceptical when a play looks too polished – they fear it may cover up a lack of depth".

The Guardian

The party discovered that his suggestion continue to deter these voters, many of whom have instinctively conservative values, from voting Tory.

The Guardian - Opinion

Browne earlier said he was "instinctively uneasy" about restricting religious freedoms, but added there may be a case to act to protect girls who were too young to decide for themselves whether they wished to wear the veil or not.

The Guardian

She instinctively grasped the troubling connection between being sexy and being vulnerable, and kept herself centre stage even as she lost control.

The Guardian - Opinion

Friedman instinctively took the view that government intervention was more likely to do harm than good, and that the most government could do was to set an appropriate structure of rules - especially the rule of law - and leave the rest to competition and the freedom of the individual to choose in a system of free markets.

The Guardian

"It is important to keep trends in mind but not to go against what you feel instinctively is right for you.

The Guardian - Books

Big words, and although in Britain we move instinctively towards scepticism, perhaps we should give this process a chance.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "instinctively" when you want to emphasize that an action is performed without conscious thought or training, highlighting an inherent or intuitive response. For example, "She instinctively knew something was wrong."

Common error

Avoid using "instinctively" when the action is based on quick reasoning or insight rather than a purely inherent response. "Intuitively" is more appropriate when describing a rapid understanding or a feeling based on experience.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "instinctively" is to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating that an action is performed or a feeling is experienced as a result of instinct. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes actions that occur without conscious thought.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "instinctively" is a grammatically correct adverb used to describe actions or feelings that arise from inherent nature or impulse. As Ludwig AI states, it highlights behaviors occurring without conscious thought. Its use is widespread across diverse contexts, including news, business, and scientific writing. When writing, remember to use "instinctively" to emphasize inherent or intuitive responses, and differentiate it from similar words like "intuitively", which implies understanding based on experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by instinct

Explicitly refers to an inborn pattern of behavior; emphasizes the biological aspect.

intuitively

Emphasizes understanding or knowing something without conscious reasoning; focuses on insight.

from intuition

Highlights the role of inherent understanding or feeling in guiding the action.

naturally

Highlights the ease and lack of effort involved in the action; implies inherent quality.

automatically

Stresses the involuntary nature of the action, like a programmed response.

involuntarily

Focuses on the lack of control over the action; a reflexive response.

without thinking

Focuses on the absence of conscious deliberation before the action.

unconsciously

Implies the action occurs without the person being aware of it.

as a gut reaction

Emphasizes a visceral, emotional response guiding the action.

on impulse

Implies a sudden, spontaneous urge driving the action.

FAQs

How can I use "instinctively" in a sentence?

"Instinctively" is used to describe actions or feelings that arise from inherent nature or impulse, not from conscious thought. For example, "The cat instinctively chased the mouse."

What's the difference between "instinctively" and "intuitively"?

"Instinctively" refers to actions driven by innate, unlearned behaviors, while "intuitively" implies understanding or knowing something through insight or feeling, often based on experience. The key difference lies in whether the behavior is innate or based on acquired knowledge.

What are some alternatives to using "instinctively" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you could use "naturally", "automatically", or "by instinct" as alternatives to "instinctively". Each has a slightly different nuance.

Is it correct to say someone reacted "instinctually" instead of "instinctively"?

While "instinctually" is sometimes used, "instinctively" is the more common and widely accepted adverb form. Using "instinctively" ensures clarity and aligns with standard English usage.