it was inevitable that

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was inevitable that' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something was bound to happen. For example, "It was inevitable that the team would win the championship, given their superior skill."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One analyst said it was inevitable that Facebook would adapt its mobile service.

BBC

It was inevitable that they could not.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was inevitable that they would split.

The New York Times - Books

And it was inevitable that a cable show would win.

The New York Times - Arts

It was inevitable that filmmakers would seize on the story.

The New York Times

"It was inevitable that he would make a wrong move.

The New York Times

Under those conditions, it was inevitable that rumours would spread.

The Economist

It was inevitable that we would end up losing".

The New York Times - Sports

It was inevitable that he should best Stevenson.

The New Yorker

It was inevitable that women would stand out.

The Guardian

It was inevitable that Ken Clarke would cause trouble.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the clause following "it was inevitable that" is a complete sentence that clearly states the unavoidable outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "it was inevitable that" when describing situations that could have been prevented or altered. 'Inevitable' implies a lack of control or alternative outcomes. If there was a chance to change the outcome, consider using phrases like "it was likely that" or "it seemed probable that" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was inevitable that" functions as an introductory clause that asserts the certainty of a following event or outcome. It sets the stage by indicating that what follows was unavoidable under the given circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

18%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was inevitable that" is a commonly used and grammatically correct way to introduce a statement about something that was certain to happen. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and its use in numerous reputable sources, particularly in News & Media and Academic contexts. When using this phrase, ensure it's followed by a complete sentence clearly stating the unavoidable outcome. While synonyms like "it was bound to happen that" or "it was destined that" offer alternatives, "it was inevitable that" remains a strong and versatile choice for conveying certainty and lack of control over events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was bound to happen that

Emphasizes a preordained outcome or destiny.

it was unavoidable that

Focuses on the impossibility of preventing the event.

it was destined that

Suggests a fate-driven or predetermined course of events.

it was certain that

Highlights the assurance or confidence in the outcome.

it was to be expected that

Implies a sense of anticipation or lack of surprise.

it was foreseeable that

Highlights the ability to predict the event beforehand.

it was a foregone conclusion that

Stresses the point that outcome was determined well in advance.

the die was cast that

Emphasizes an irreversible decision or action leading to a specific result.

it was written in the stars that

Suggests that a specific outcome was unavoidable because of a metaphysical influence.

the handwriting was on the wall that

Signifies clear warnings or indications of an impending event.

FAQs

How can I use "it was inevitable that" in a sentence?

Use "it was inevitable that" to introduce a statement about something that could not be avoided or prevented. For example, "It was inevitable that the company would face challenges after such rapid expansion."

What's a more formal alternative to "it was inevitable that"?

A more formal alternative is "it was unavoidable that". Both phrases express a similar sense of certainty, but "unavoidable" may sound more appropriate in formal or professional contexts.

How does "it was inevitable that" differ from "it was likely that"?

"It was inevitable that" implies a certainty and a lack of alternative outcomes. "It was likely that", on the other hand, suggests a high probability but leaves open the possibility of other results.

Are there synonyms for "it was inevitable that" that don't sound so formal?

Yes, you could use phrases like "it was bound to happen that" or "it was destined that" for a less formal tone.