this was inevitable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this was inevitable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that a certain outcome was unavoidable or bound to happen. Example: "After the series of events, it was clear that this was inevitable." Alternative expressions include "this was bound to happen" and "this was unavoidable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

This was inevitable.

The New York Times - Arts

Some of this was inevitable.

The New York Times

All this was inevitable.

The New York Times

Perhaps this was inevitable.

The Guardian - Opinion

This was inevitable, wasn't it?

The Guardian

Perhaps some of this was inevitable.

The Guardian - Opinion

Adult entertainment Well, this was inevitable.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

This is inevitable.

The New York Times

Perhaps this is inevitable.

The Economist

But this is inevitable.

The Guardian

He continued: "This is inevitable.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Place the phrase at the beginning of a paragraph for maximum rhetorical impact when concluding a narrative arc

Common error

Writers often mistake 'inevitable' for 'highly likely'. Only use "this was inevitable" if there were truly no other possible outcomes, otherwise you risk hyperbole that weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was inevitable" functions as an independent clause or a concluding statement where 'this' is a demonstrative pronoun acting as the subject. It is followed by the past tense copula 'was' and the predicative adjective 'inevitable'. According to Ludwig, this structure is used to retroactively frame a situation as a certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Sports

5%

Tech

3%

Literature

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this was inevitable" is a powerful linguistic tool used to denote that an event was certain to happen. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across a variety of high-authority sources, particularly within the fields of journalism and scientific research. It is grammatically sound and serves as an effective way to conclude an analysis or narrative by highlighting the logical consequence of a situation. Whether you are describing a political shift, a technological advancement or a personal realization, this phrase provides a definitive and authoritative closure to your thought process. It is highly recommended for use in both formal and professional contexts when clarity and certainty are required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this was unavoidable

Directly highlights the lack of alternative outcomes.

it was bound to happen

More informal and common in conversational storytelling.

it was a matter of time

Emphasizes the temporal inevitability rather than the structural one.

this was certain to occur

More formal and explicit about the probability.

it was a foregone conclusion

Specifically refers to a result that was obvious before it occurred.

this was inescapable

Adds a slightly more dramatic or restrictive nuance.

it was always going to be this way

Focuses on the lack of possibility for change from the start.

this was predestined

Implying a pre-set plan or theological certainty.

this was fated

Suggests a supernatural or destiny-driven cause.

it was written in the stars

A metaphorical and much more poetic alternative.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "this was inevitable"?

Depending on the tone you want to set, you can use alternatives like "it was bound to happen", "this was unavoidable" or the more formal "it was a foregone conclusion".

How to use "this was inevitable" in a sentence?

You can use it to conclude a thought, for example: "The company ignored the market shifts for years; "this was inevitable"." Ludwig shows it is frequently used to explain political or social shifts.

Is "this was inevitable" formal?

Yes, it is highly appropriate for formal writing. It appears frequently in publications like The New York Times and The Economist to describe logical outcomes in politics and history.

What is the difference between "this was inevitable" and "this is inevitable"?

The phrase "this is inevitable" refers to a future outcome that cannot be stopped, while "this was inevitable" describes a past event that had to happen given the circumstances.