Word
inherently
Phoneticsin·her·ent·ly
US/ɪnˈhɛɹəntɫi/
UK/ɪnhˈiəɹəntli/
Definition
adv. in a way that is a natural or basic part of something. You use it to describe a quality that cannot be separated from the thing itself.
adv. by nature or as an inseparable element of something. Often used to describe qualities that are intrinsic rather than acquired.
Examples
“The job is inherently dangerous.”
“Some people believe that humans are inherently good, while others argue that our environment shapes our character.”
“The legal system is inherently complex, requiring years of study to navigate the subtle distinctions between different types of liability and negligence.”
Examples
simple
“The job is inherently dangerous.”
contextual
“Some people believe that humans are inherently good, while others argue that our environment shapes our character.”
complex
“The legal system is inherently complex, requiring years of study to navigate the subtle distinctions between different types of liability and negligence.”
Usage
Typically placed before the adjective it modifies or after the verb 'to be'.
Pitfall
an inherently quality
an inherent quality
Learners often use the adverb 'inherently' where the adjective 'inherent' is required to modify a noun.
Real-World Examples
Common in history writing
“A mother who appears to be functioning but also going through a psychotic break is not inherently contradictory, she said.” “One major limitation, however, is that mRNA is inherently short-lived.” “While humans are inherently social beings, they can interact and connect with others in very different ways.” “For all the examples raised here, museums are inherently safe places for specimens.” Etymology
From inherent + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/inherently