undoubtedly

undoubtedly
doubtless, no doubt, undoubtedly, doubtlessly
1. Fowler (1926) rightly noted that doubtless and no doubt, used adverbially, convey probability rather than certainty about what follows, so that They are doubtless [or no doubt] guilty and No doubt he [or He doubtless] meant well connote no more than strong belief and reassurance respectively. If real conviction is intended, it is important to use undoubtedly or without (a or any) doubt, as is shown by substituting them in the example already given: They are undoubtedly [or without doubt] guilty.
2. Doubtlessly, for long made unnecessary by the adverbial role of doubtless, is making a strong comeback, first in the US and then in Britain:

• The current argument…doubtlessly offers a cogent and easily understood explanation for the current deadlock in East–West relations —Washington Post, 1984

• The overall effect is of a sobriety that can…make even Britten's doubtlessly ‘greater’ War Requiem sound a mite theatrical —Independent, 1994.


Modern English usage. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • undoubtedly — index admittedly, fairly (clearly) Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • undoubtedly — [adv] certainly assuredly, beyond question, beyond shadow of a doubt*, definitely, doubtless, easily, indeed, of course, really, surely, truly, undeniably, unmistakably, unquestionably, well, without doubt; concept 535 Ant. doubtfully, indefinite …   New thesaurus

  • undoubtedly — adv. Undoubtedly is used with these adjectives: ↑correct, ↑impressive, ↑superior, ↑true, ↑useful Undoubtedly is used with these verbs: ↑benefit, ↑contribute, ↑enhance, ↑help, ↑influence, ↑ …   Collocations dictionary

  • undoubtedly */*/ — UK [ʌnˈdaʊtɪdlɪ] / US [ʌnˈdaʊtədlɪ] adverb used for saying that something is certainly true or is accepted by everyone The next few days will undoubtedly prove crucial. I did the right thing, didn t I? Oh, undoubtedly …   English dictionary

  • undoubtedly — See undoubtedly, indubitably, doubtlessly …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • undoubtedly — un|doubt|ed|ly [ ʌn dautədli ] adverb * used for saying that something is certainly true or is accepted by everyone: The next few days will undoubtedly prove crucial …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • undoubtedly — adverb they are undoubtedly guilty Syn: doubtless, indubitably, doubtlessly, no doubt, without (a) doubt, unquestionably, without question, indisputably, undeniably, incontrovertibly, clearly, obviously, patently, certainly, definitely, surely,… …   Thesaurus of popular words

  • undoubtedly — undoubted ► ADJECTIVE ▪ not questioned or doubted by anyone. DERIVATIVES undoubtedly adverb …   English terms dictionary

  • undoubtedly — adverb without doubt; certainly (Freq. 9) it s undoubtedly very beautiful • Syn: ↑doubtless, ↑doubtlessly …   Useful english dictionary

  • undoubtedly, indubitably, doubtlessly — Each of these words means certainly, assuredly, beyond question. They stem from a Latin word meaning to waver and hence convey the idea of steadiness, of something not subject to question: She is undoubtedly (or indubitably or doubtlessly) the… …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

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