eventuality

eventuality
eventuality, eventuate
Both words date from the 18c and have had their fair share of criticism. Eventuate was derided by De Quincy (1834) as ‘Yankeeish’ and by Dean Alford (1864) as ‘another horrible word’, and Fowler (1926) castigated both as ‘flabby journalese’, leaving a string of ‘characteristic specimens’ to speak for themselves. It is undeniable that result or come about, or sometimes simply happen, are often preferable alternatives:

• It had been intended to have educated Saudi women dealing with the public at the exhibition, but…this had not eventuated —Times, 1986

• I hope a sensible result eventuates —Express, 2002.

Eventuality has been less fiercely attacked, although it is often a mere synonym for circumstance, event, or possibility:

• Although he had been ordered not to destroy it, Harmel was prepared for the eventuality —C. Ryan, 1974

• It is essential you cover every eventuality —Daily Mail, 2007.


Modern English usage. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Eventuality — E*ven tu*al i*ty, n.; pl. {Eventualities}. [Cf. F. [ e]ventualit[ e].] 1. The coming as a consequence; contingency; also, an event which comes as a consequence. [1913 Webster] 2. (Phren.) Disposition to take cognizance of events. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • eventuality — index conclusion (outcome), consequence (conclusion), development (outgrowth), occurrence, outcome …   Law dictionary

  • eventuality — 1759, a possible occurrence, from EVENTUAL (Cf. eventual) + ITY (Cf. ity), on model of Fr. éventualité …   Etymology dictionary

  • eventuality — [n] something that probably will happen aftereffect, aftermath, any case, case, chance, consequence, contingency, effect, event, go down*, goings on*, happening, issue, likelihood, outcome, possibility, probability, result, sequel, toss up,… …   New thesaurus

  • eventuality — ► NOUN (pl. eventualities) ▪ a possible event or outcome …   English terms dictionary

  • eventuality — [ē ven΄cho͞o al′ə tē, ē ven΄sho͞oal′ə tē; iven΄cho͞o al′ə tē, iven΄sho͞o al΄ə tē] n. pl. eventualities a possible event, outcome, or condition; contingency …   English World dictionary

  • Eventuality — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Eventuality >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 eventuality eventuality event occurrence incident affair matter thing episode happening proceeding contingency juncture experience fact …   English dictionary for students

  • eventuality — e|ven|tu|al|i|ty [ıˌventʃuˈælıti] n plural eventualities formal something that might happen, especially something bad any/every eventuality ▪ We are prepared for every eventuality. ▪ That is an unlikely eventuality …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • eventuality — UK [ɪˌventʃuˈælətɪ] / US noun [countable] Word forms eventuality : singular eventuality plural eventualities formal something that might happen, especially something bad that people might have to deal with The troops are prepared for any… …   English dictionary

  • eventuality — [[t]ɪve̱ntʃuæ̱lɪti[/t]] eventualities N COUNT: with supp An eventuality is a possible future event or result, especially one that is unpleasant or surprising. [FORMAL] Every eventuality is covered, from running out of petrol to needing water. Syn …   English dictionary

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