Vocabulary
Inevitable: meaning and natural examples
Sign in to saveA road is closed, and there is no other route to the airport. Arriving late is inevitable.
Use inevitable when an event cannot be avoided, and distinguish it from an event that is only likely.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
inevitable /ɪˈnev.ɪ.tə.bəl/
The short answer
Inevitable means certain to happen and impossible to avoid or prevent.
Some delays were inevitable during the road repairs.
Why it works: The speaker means that delays could not be prevented while the work was happening.
3 more examples
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After weeks without rain, water restrictions became inevitable.
The long dry period makes the restrictions unavoidable in this situation.
Not this:After weeks without rain, water restrictions
became likely. What changes: Likely leaves room for another outcome. Inevitable says the restrictions cannot be avoided. -
It was inevitable that the old equipment would need replacing.
The clause after that names the certain result.
Not this:It was
inevitable the old equipmentwould need replacing. What changes: Use that to introduce the clause after it was inevitable. -
A few mistakes are inevitable when people learn a new skill.
Mistakes are a normal and unavoidable part of the learning process.
Not this:A few
mistakes are impossiblewhen people learn a new skill. What changes: Impossible reverses the meaning. The sentence says that some mistakes will happen.
Read the full guide
Use inevitable when the outcome is certain in the context. Use likely when something may happen, but there is still a real possibility that it will not.
Start with certainty
Call something inevitable when it will happen and cannot be stopped or avoided. The word tells the reader that there is no practical alternative in the situation.
With no seats left, a later flight was inevitable.
Compare inevitable and likely
Likely means probable, not certain. A weather forecast can make rain likely. If dark clouds disappear, the rain may not come. Use inevitable only when the context gives no real way to avoid the result.
Likely leaves room for doubt. Inevitable says the result cannot be avoided.
Use common sentence patterns
You can put inevitable before a noun: an inevitable consequence, an inevitable delay, or an inevitable change. You can also use the pattern it is inevitable that plus a clause.
It is inevitable that the price will change if costs keep rising.
Remember that the word is neutral
Inevitable often appears with difficult events, such as delays or loss, but the word itself is not negative. You can describe an inevitable improvement or an inevitable reunion when the event is certain and cannot be prevented.
As the town grew, better transport links were inevitable.
Choose the word in context
A colleague says a meeting will probably finish early, but they do not know the agenda. Is inevitable a good choice?
No. The meeting may finish early, but the result is not certain or unavoidable. Likely is a better choice if there is evidence for the prediction.
Before you go
Remember this
Use inevitable for an outcome that is certain and cannot be avoided. It works before a noun or in it is inevitable that plus a clause. Choose likely when the outcome remains uncertain.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Inevitable: meaning and natural examples"
What does inevitable mean?
Inevitable means certain to happen and impossible to avoid or prevent.
After weeks without rain, water restrictions became inevitable.
What is the difference between inevitable and likely?
Likely means probable, so another outcome is still possible. Inevitable means the outcome is certain and cannot be avoided.
After weeks without rain, water restrictions became likely.
Can I say it is inevitable that?
Yes. Follow it is inevitable that with a clause that names the certain result, as in It is inevitable that costs will rise.
It was inevitable that the old equipment would need replacing.
Is inevitable always negative?
No. It often describes an unwanted event, but it can also describe a neutral or positive change that cannot be avoided.
It was inevitable the old equipment would need replacing.
How do you pronounce inevitable?
Say i-NEV-i-ta-ble. The stress falls on the second syllable.
A few mistakes are inevitable when people learn a new skill.