automatically
automatically — adverb
1. in a way that is performed by a machine, computer, or device on its own, with no
in a way that is performed by a machine, computer, or device on its own, with no person needing to press a button or operate the controls.
The office lights switch off automatically when nobody walks past the sensor for ten minutes.
verb + automatically (machine subject)
Beatriz's car locks the doors automatically as soon as she pulls onto the highway.
verb + automatically (device action)
The washing machine drains automatically at the end of the rinse cycle.
Photos taken on the phone are uploaded automatically to a cloud folder each night.
The hotel room curtains open automatically at seven every morning.
- mechanically
stresses the machine itself, often the rigid feel of its movement
- by itself
more informal; common in everyday speech
- manually
by hand or by a person operating controls — the direct opposite for this sense
用法筆記
Subject is usually a machine, device, software, or system, NOT a person. When the subject is a person, sense 2 (without thinking) is meant.
常見錯誤
2. in a way that a person does something out of habit or instinct, with no real tho
in a way that a person does something out of habit or instinct, with no real thought given to the action — for example, reaching for a seatbelt or saying 'thank you' on autopilot.
Mei reached for her phone automatically the moment her alarm started ringing.
person subject + verb + automatically (habit)
When the teacher walked in, the children stood up automatically and waited for the bell.
automatically + and + second action
Dr. Esme apologised automatically before she even understood what had upset the patient.
After driving the same route for years, Fadi takes the second exit automatically.
Daniel flinched automatically when the firework cracked above the rooftops.
- instinctively
stresses an inborn or reflex response rather than a learned habit
- unconsciously
stresses lack of awareness; can sound clinical
- without thinking
plain everyday paraphrase; useful when 'automatically' feels too formal
- deliberately
with conscious thought and purpose
- consciously
with full awareness of what one is doing
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 by the subject: a person doing something on autopilot is sense 2; a machine acting on its own is sense 1. Often appears with verbs of habit or reflex (reach, stand, smile, flinch, apologise).
常見錯誤
3. as a sure outcome that follows from a rule, system, or earlier event — meaning t
as a sure outcome that follows from a rule, system, or earlier event — meaning the result is guaranteed by how things work, not by anyone choosing it.
Students who score above ninety automatically qualify for the school's honours programme.
subject + automatically + verb (rule-based outcome)
If you cancel the booking within an hour, your card is refunded automatically.
if-clause + passive automatic outcome
The winner of Saturday's match goes automatically into the national final.
Marriage does not automatically give a foreign spouse the right to work in Taiwan.
Once you turn sixty-five, the discount is applied automatically at the ticket gate.
- as a matter of course
stresses standard procedure; slightly more formal
- by default
stresses what happens unless something is changed
- conditionally
only if certain extra requirements are met
用法筆記
Often used with 'qualify, become, get, give, apply, refund' to describe rule-based or procedural outcomes. Frequently appears in negative form ('does not automatically mean...') to push back on a wrong assumption.