What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
instantaneously
Example
The car exploded instantaneously upon impact. [instantaneously: adverb]
Example
The computer processed the data instantaneously, providing results within seconds. [instantaneously: adverb]
instantly
Example
I knew instantly that I had made a mistake. [instantly: adverb]
Example
The pain disappeared instantly after taking the medication. [instantly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Instantly is more commonly used than instantaneously in everyday language. Instantly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while instantaneously is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between instantaneously and instantly?
While instantaneously is typically associated with a more formal tone, instantly is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.