This is one of the most common doubts among advanced learners. What is the difference between finally and eventually? Do they convey the same meaning? Are they interchangeable?
The basic answer is yes, either can be used in most situations. They both mean finalmente in Spanish. However, there are some shades of meaning covering one but not the other.
finally
Something is done after some struggle or work.
enespañol# finalmente
finally after a long, hard effort
| Our team finally won the championship |
| Nuestro equipo ganó finalmente el campeonato (después de mucho sudar) |
| After a thorough investigation, the police finally caught the killer |
| Después de una investigación minuciosa, la policía finalmente pilló al asesino |
Only finally can be used after a sequence of ideas or items.
| I went shopping all day but finally got the chance to slouch on the couch |
| Estuve de compras todo el día pero finalmente tuve la ocasión de repantigarme en el sofá |
| Add some sugar, eggs and flour. Finally, top it up with some cinnamon |
| Añade azúcar, huevo y harina. Finalmente, cúbrelo con canela |
eventually
Something was done after a certain period of time, usually regarded as too much or longer than expected.
enespañol# con el tiempo
eventually after a long time
| Our team won the championship eventually |
| Nuestro equipo ganó finalmente el campeonato (con el tiempo) |
| If you keep on lying to your mother, she will cacht you eventually |
| Si sigues mintiéndole a tu madre, con el tiempo te pillará |
when either can be used
Eventually can also imply the idea of effort, and this is the main occasion when both are correct.
If we want to emphasize the idea of struggle, we may use finally.
We finally got there (it took us a lot of trouble)
If we want to emphasize the idea of time, we may use eventually.
We eventually got there (it took us a lot of time)
position in the sentence
Both are adverbs but finally is an adverb of manner and eventually is usually regarded as an adverb of time, although it can work as an adverb of manner too.
| I finally found the missing keys |
| It is finally done |
| I found it eventually |
Adverbs of manner can be placed before or after the verb while adverbs of time are placed at the end of the sentence. Check these lessons for a complete explanation.