Cool MateInevitably vs Whatever can happen will happen
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Inevitably
Top 5,000 (fairly common)B2adverb
Whatever can happen will happen
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Inevitably
| Inevitably | Whatever can happen will happen | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈevɪtəbli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈevɪtəbli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wɒtˈɛvə kən ˈhæpən wɪl ˈhæpən//🇺🇸 //wʌtˈɛvɚ kən ˈhæpən wɪl ˈhæpən// |
| Meaning | certain to happen; cannot be avoided | Anything that can happen will happen. |
| Example | Inevitably, the press exaggerated the story. | In life, whatever can happen will happen, so we must be prepared for anything. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | inevitably lead to, inevitably happen, inevitably result in | accept whatever can happen, expect whatever can happen, believe whatever can happen, adapt to whatever can happen |
| Antonyms | avoidably, optionally | - |
| Common mistakes | Using in place of 'eventually' which implies uncertainty., Confusing with 'invariably', which can suggest frequency rather than certainty., Saying 'inevitably that' when it should just be 'inevitably'. | Misusing in non-uncertain situations by stating it too casually., Forget to acknowledge the philosophical nature of the phrase., Confusing it with 'what happens, happens,' which is less emphatic. |
| Usage notes | Used to indicate something will happen as a result of something else. It's best for written or spoken contexts where certainty is needed. Avoid in casual conversations where a more informal tone is preferred. | 'Whatever can happen will happen' is often used to express acceptance of uncertainty and unpredictability. It's suitable for both formal and informal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Inevitably vs Whatever can happen will happen
What's the difference between Inevitably and Whatever can happen will happen?
Inevitably: certain to happen; cannot be avoided Whatever can happen will happen: Anything that can happen will happen.
Which is more common: Inevitably and Whatever can happen will happen?
Inevitably is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Inevitably: Inevitably, the press exaggerated the story. Whatever can happen will happen: In life, whatever can happen will happen, so we must be prepared for anything.
Can I use Inevitably and Whatever can happen will happen interchangeably?
Not always. Inevitably and Whatever can happen will happen 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.