reliably

USAGE SUMMARY

"reliably" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which something can be trusted to happen or be of a certain quality. For example, "The quality of the product was reliably consistent."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rather, they are investments which can reliably generate income – the all-important cash spent on charitable activities.

The Guardian

Shops get in on the act too, and I'm indebted to @andrea_wulf for this one: Fussbodenschleifmaschinenverleih, I'm reliably informed, is the place to turn to if you need your wooden floors sanded down.

The Guardian

Bloggers have also complained that the law's terminology is too vague, and wondered how the media watchdog could possibly hope to regulate all site users and reliably count their readers.

The Guardian

One of the key takeaways from the new science is how woefully ill-equipped people are when it comes to reliably reporting our attitudes, values and behaviours.

The Guardian

There is not that tug of a cultural tide that reliably precedes regime change.

The Guardian - Opinion

Because these feelings have been my constant companions throughout most of May and into June and I am reliably informed by every possible source that each one of these emotions is simply a form of apathy.

The Guardian

Unfortunately Kathy Bates hasn't had as much to do this year as last (her accent is "Baltimorese", apparently) but is reliably solid and looks likely to explode in the coming episodes.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But as it was recognised that hallucinations can be reliably identified in children, science has begun to look at why these illusory experiences are many times more common during our early years.

The Guardian

I only know two things about wine: if I like it, it is posh enough; and despite what some experts would have you believe, you can buy reliably good wines more cheaply in mainland Europe than you can in Britain.

The Guardian - Travel

Although Indi has become a focal point for the media due to Mirabella's controversial public image and the threat to her seemingly safe 9.5% margin, Liberals argue that large demographic shifts in Wangaratta and Wodonga means that the seat is no longer staunchly agricultural and so no longer reliably conservative.

The Guardian

Though Obama critics can reliably add the NSA's overreach to their litany of complaints about the administration, it does not fit easily into the "angry socialist Muslim" narrative that winds through the other scandals they use to gin up support.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reliably" to emphasize the consistency and dependability of an action or outcome. For instance, "The system operates reliably, ensuring minimal downtime."

Common error

While "reliably" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "always" or "usually" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "reliably" functions as a modifier, primarily describing how an action is performed. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. For example, "The system operates reliably" indicates the manner in which the system operates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reliably" functions as an adverb emphasizing consistency and dependability. It is considered grammatically correct and enjoys very common usage across various contexts, particularly in news, business, and scientific domains, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. When aiming for a more casual tone, consider alternatives like "dependably" or "consistently". When writing, remember that "reliably" is an adverb, not an adjective. Use it to modify verbs and emphasize the consistent nature of actions or outcomes. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist underscores its credibility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dependably

A direct synonym, offering a simpler alternative.

in a dependable manner

Rephrases "reliably" using a more descriptive and slightly longer phrase.

in a trustworthy fashion

Emphasizes the trustworthiness aspect of "reliably".

assuredly

Highlights the confidence and certainty in the reliability.

with certainty

Focuses on the sureness and confidence associated with "reliably".

in a consistent way

Emphasizes the uniformity and regularity implied by "reliably".

on a consistent basis

Similar to "in a consistent way" but focuses on the recurring nature.

in a predictable manner

Focuses on the predictability and expectedness of the action.

without fail

Highlights the unwavering nature of something happening "reliably".

like clockwork

Uses an idiom to convey the consistent and predictable nature of something happening "reliably".

FAQs

How to use "reliably" in a sentence?

You can use "reliably" to describe actions or processes that consistently produce the same result. For example, "The software "reliably detects" errors."

What can I say instead of "reliably"?

You can use alternatives like "dependably", "consistently", or "certainly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "reliably" or "reliable"?

"Reliably" is an adverb, used to modify verbs, while "reliable" is an adjective, used to describe nouns. For example, "The data is "reliably sourced"" (adverb) vs. "The source is "a reliable source"" (adjective).

What's the difference between "reliably" and "frequently"?

"Reliably" emphasizes consistency and dependability, while "frequently" indicates how often something occurs. Something that happens "frequently" may not necessarily be consistent or predictable, whereas something that happens "reliably" is expected to occur consistently.