This week on Ask a
Teacher, we answer a question from
Thuy Duong Le, who writes:
Question:
What is the difference
between finally, eventually and
ultimately?
Answer: Dear Thuy, Thank you for your question. It
centers on three words that act as
adverbs. Adverbs can change the
meaning of a verb, adjective,
another adverb, or even a whole
sentence.
it centers on: se centra en
("centers on", no
"centers in");
that act as: que actúan como;
meaning: significado; even a
whole sentence: incluso toda una
oración;
Finally, eventually, and
ultimately generally show
time. They often suggest the idea of
a later time or the end of a period
of time. In some cases, they are
very close in meaning.
show time: expresan tiempo;
often suggest: a menudo sugieren;
a later time: un momento
posterior; very close in meaning:
de significado muy parecido;
But there are some differences in
the ways that English speakers use
these terms. Let's explore a few of
them.
in the ways that: en laa
maneraa en que; terms:
términos, palabras; let's explore:
analicemos; a few of them:
algunas, unas pocas;
FINALLY
Finally is often used to
introduce the last in a series of
statements. When used in this way,
finally is especially
common in speeches, presentations,
or in formal writing such as in an
academic
paper or a job
application.
the last in a series of
statements: la última (oración)
de una serie de oraciones;
speeches: discursos; in
formal writing: en escritos
formales; academic paper:
artículo científico; job
application: solicitud de empleo;
For example, a person might end a
presentation by saying:
might end: podría terminar;
by saying: diciendo;
FINALLY, I'd like to thank
the conference organizers for
putting together this event.
POR ÚLTIMO, quisiera agradecer a
los organizadores de la conferencia
por este evento.
EVENTUALLY
Eventually means at some
later time or in the end. It can be
used to talk about something that
will happen in the future. For
example, you might hear a basketball
fan say:
at some later time: en algún
momento posterior; in the end:
al final; basketball fan:
aficionado al baloncesto o basquet;
The Celtics have some good
young players. In a few years,
they’ll EVENTUALLY win the
championship.
Los Celtics tienen algunos
buenos jugadores jóvenes. TARDE O
TEMPRANO, ganarán el campeonato.
Or, you might hear a gardener
talk about a tree that will grow to
a tall height, as in:
might hear a gardener talk about:
podría ocurrir que escuches a un
jardinero hablar sobre un árbol;
that will grow to a tall height:
que crecerá muy alto; as in:
como en este otro ejemplo;
This tree will EVENTUALLY
reach a height of 50 meters.
A LA LARGA, este árbol alcanzará
una altura de 50 metros.
ULTIMATELY
Ultimately can mean: in
the most important way or at the
most basic level. When it has this meaning,
speakers often use it at the
beginning or in the middle of a
sentence, as in:
in the most important way:
fundamentalmente; at the most
basic level: en el fondo;
speakers often use it: los
oradores a menudo lo usan;
UlLTIMATELY, it is a question
for the voters to decide.
EN ÚLTIMA INSTANCIA, es un
asunto que los votantes tienen que
decidir.
It is ULTIMATELY a question
for the voters to decide.
Es FUNDAMENTALMENTE un asunto
que los votantes tienen que decidir.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
The next time you read in English
or listen to English speakers, try
to pay careful attention to words
such as finally, eventually,
and ultimately. Over time,
you will notice regular ways that
speakers use these terms.
try to pay careful attention to:
trata de prestar especial atención a;
over time: con el (transcurso
del) tiempo; you will notice
regular ways that: detectarás
formas estándar en las cuales;
With hard work and careful study,
you will eventually understand how
to use these terms with ease. And that’s Ask a Teacher!
I’m John Russell.
with hard work: con intensa
práctica; you will eventually
understand: tarde o temprano
entenderás; how to use these
terms with ease: cómo utilizar
estas palabras con comodidad.
