Word
invariably
Phoneticsin·vari·ably
US/ˌɪnˈvɛɹiəbɫi/
UK/ɪnvˈeəɹɪəbli/
Adverb of frequency
Definition
adv. always or almost always. You use this to describe something that happens every single time in the same way.
adv. in every case or on every occasion; without variation or exception.
Examples
“The train is invariably late on Monday mornings.”
“Whenever we go out for dinner, my brother invariably forgets his wallet and asks me to pay.”
“In high-pressure environments, the lack of clear communication invariably leads to misunderstandings that can jeopardize the entire project's timeline.”
Examples
simple
“The train is invariably late on Monday mornings.”
contextual
“Whenever we go out for dinner, my brother invariably forgets his wallet and asks me to pay.”
complex
“In high-pressure environments, the lack of clear communication invariably leads to misunderstandings that can jeopardize the entire project's timeline.”
Usage
Typically placed before the main verb or after the first auxiliary verb.
Pitfall
He invariably is late.
He is invariably late.
When used with the verb 'to be', the adverb should follow the verb rather than precede it.
Real-World Examples
“Periods of transition, the official added, “almost invariably requires you to work with elements of the existing structure, even as you are creating a new one”.” “Ask any chief executive what supporters want at the start of a season and the answer is invariably the same: be better than last season.” Etymology
From invariable + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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