it will definitively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it will definitively" is not correct; the correct term is "it will definitely." You can use it when you want to express certainty about a future event or outcome.
Example: "If we continue to work hard, it will definitely pay off in the end."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The device will be 50% thinner than the MacBook Pro, use NAND flash memory instead of a hard drive, and "it will definitively arrive at Macworld." Second, it's been suggested by sources close to Jim Goldman of CNBC that a 3G iPhone "will be on store selves by late May or early June at the latest" instead of the end of next year.

TechCrunch

Suzanne Mack, a member of the Jersey City board of education who has a child with special needs, said she thought that the proposal for special education sounded promising, but "it's too early to tell how it will definitively impact us".

The New York Times

If the hypothesis would be confirmed it will definitively not only facilitate understanding the basic biological sciences of chemistry metabolism of multi-component EF, but also help further explore molecular mechanism of EF for reducing risk of steroid-associated ON.

Plosone

If this hypothesis were to be true, it will definitively explain the role of npr1 in RIM.

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The issue is so profoundly ideological that it is very unlikely that it will be definitively settled by research data.

The New York Times - Magazine

A new genomics database is being unveiled this week that its developers say will definitively pinpoint human genes and help clear up the mystery of how many genes there are.

The New York Times

C3 Unveiling a Gene Database A new genomics database is being introduced this week that its developers say will definitively pinpoint human genes and help clear up the mystery of how many genes there are.

The New York Times

So it would be wrong to think this will definitively predict the competitive picture in Melbourne on 16 March, let alone the destiny of the world championship.

BBC

France under his presidency will "definitively turn its back on unemployment"—and be "active", "safe", "fair", "modern" and "strong".

The Economist

Moreover, despite a UN Security Council Resolution, it is improbable to think that Western legislative measures will definitively halt the growing number of foreign ISIL recruits in the immediate term.

Huffington Post

For Hamilton's old team McLaren it was yet another embarrassing race in a season which will definitively rank as the worst of their coveted history.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "definitely" instead of "definitively" when you intend to convey certainty about a future event. "Definitively" is an adverb that means 'in a definitive manner,' which is not interchangeable with 'definitely'.

Common error

Avoid using "definitively" when you mean "definitely". "Definitely" expresses certainty or without doubt, while "definitively" means in a conclusive or final manner. Using the wrong word changes the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it will definitively" attempts to express certainty about a future event. However, this phrase is grammatically incorrect. The correct form would be 'it will definitely'. This is verified by Ludwig, which flags "it will definitively" as incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it will definitively" is an incorrect grammatical construction. The correct phrase to express certainty about a future event is "it will definitely". As Ludwig indicates, "definitively" is often misused in place of "definitely". While sources like The New York Times and BBC contain examples of this phrase, they represent errors rather than correct usage. To avoid mistakes, use alternatives such as "it will certainly", "it will surely", or "it will undoubtedly" to convey a sense of assurance. Always remember that "definitely" is the correct adverb to use when expressing certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it will definitely

Uses the correct adverb "definitely" instead of the incorrect "definitively".

it will certainly

Replaces "definitively" with "certainly", offering a slightly less formal tone while retaining the assurance.

it will surely

Substitutes "definitively" with "surely", providing a similar level of confidence in the outcome.

it will undoubtedly

Replaces "definitively" with "undoubtedly", emphasizing the lack of doubt surrounding the event.

it will absolutely

Uses "absolutely" instead of "definitively" to convey a strong sense of certainty.

it is certain to

Highlights the certainty of the event occurring.

it will positively

Replaces "definitively" with "positively", indicating a confident and favorable outcome.

it is sure to

Offers a more casual alternative, expressing confidence in the outcome.

it is guaranteed to

Expresses a guaranteed outcome instead of simply stating a definitive one.

it is bound to

Indicates inevitability, suggesting the event is destined to happen.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say something will certainly happen?

The correct way to express certainty about a future event is to say "it will "definitely" happen" or "it will certainly happen."

Is it correct to use "definitively" to express certainty?

No, it is not correct. "Definitively" means in a conclusive or final manner. The correct word to express certainty is ""definitely"".

What's the difference between "it will definitively" and "it will definitely"?

"It will definitively" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "it will "definitely"", where "definitely" is an adverb expressing certainty.

What are some alternatives to saying something will definitely happen?

Alternatives include saying "it will "certainly"", "it will "surely"", or "it will "undoubtedly"" happen.