Cool MateAt last vs Eventually she told me the truth
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
At last
Top 2,000 (common)
Eventually she told me the truth
Top 2,000 (common)
| At last | Eventually she told me the truth | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ət lɑːst//🇺🇸 //ət læst// | 🇬🇧 //ɪˈvɛn.tʃu.əl.i//🇺🇸 //ɪˈvɛn.tʃu.ə.li// |
| Meaning | Finally after a long time waiting. | Finally, after some time, she shared what really happened. |
| Example | I finished my project, and at last, I can relax. | Eventually, she told me the truth about what happened. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | at last, a resolution, at last, the moment, at last, the truth | eventually arrived, eventually found out, eventually realized, eventually told, eventually succeeded |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'at least'; they have different meanings., Using in very formal writing where simpler alternatives may fit better. | 'Eventually' is often confused with 'actually'; they have different meanings., Students may use 'eventually' incorrectly at the beginning of a sentence., Learners sometimes omit the event before 'eventually', creating confusion. |
| Usage notes | Use 'at last' to express relief or joy when something finally happens. It's neutral and works in both spoken and written contexts. | Use 'eventually' to indicate that something happened after a delay. It’s suitable for formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: At last vs Eventually she told me the truth
What's the difference between At last and Eventually she told me the truth?
At last: Finally after a long time waiting. Eventually she told me the truth: Finally, after some time, she shared what really happened.
Can you show an example of each?
At last: I finished my project, and at last, I can relax. Eventually she told me the truth: Eventually, she told me the truth about what happened.
Can I use At last and Eventually she told me the truth interchangeably?
Not always. At last and Eventually she told me the truth are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.