Finally and eventually

Question

Hi.What's the difference between finally and eventually?Thanks

Obaidtariq · Accepted Answer

Greetings !

Both finally and eventually mean 'after a long period of waiting, something happens'. However, eventually also carries a second meaning of projecting into the future, i.e "I will eventually get married and have kids." That makes its usage a little more ambiguous. If you want to emphasize that something has taken a very long time to happen, but has happened, use finally. You can sometimes use eventually, but not always, so just stick with finally until you can naturally 'feel' when to separate them.

Some examples:
He finally found a job -- After a long period of searching, emphasizes duration and uncertainty of results
He eventually found a job -- To me it says that his finding a job was never uncertain, all it needed was time

I eventually want to be a doctor -- projecting into the future, what one will become one day
I finally want to be a doctor -- We don't say this~

Cheers!

References:

www.english-test.net/forum/ftopic4309.html

http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=76124

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_at_last_and_eventually

Hrsanei · Answer

Hi Obaidtariq.

Thanks for yor explanation.

It is complete and fruitful.

Imantaghavi · Answer

Hi,

Finally can suggest that one has been waiting a long time for something. In this sense, it often comes at the middle position:

E.g: After trying three times, she finally managed pass her exam.

Steve has finally found a job.

Finally can also introduce the last element in a series, like lastly:

E.g: We must increase productivity. We mest reduce unemployment. And finally we must compete in world markets.

Eventual and eventually mean 'final(ly)', 'in the end', 'after all that'. We use them to say that sth happens after a long time or a lot of effort.

E.g: The class game lasted for three days. Androv was the eventual winner.

The car didn't want to start, but eventually I got it going.

We use at last, not eventually, to give news: E.g: Steve has found a job at last!

Hope that helps,

Iman

Obaidtariq · Answer

most welcome Sir,

Regards

Obaid

Finally and eventually

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions