[Vocabulary] Steadily/ Consistently

[Hồ Quang Trung]

When a supplier's shipments start arriving __________ late, incomplete or damaged, it's time to consider looking for a new one.

A. steadily
B. sensibly
C. exactly
D. consistently

Key: D

Well, I know the key is D and the meaning that I checked is the most reasonable one to this question. However, I still have 2 questions to ask:

1. arriving consitstently late = has always been late, right? So, how it suits with start?
2. Some friends asked me why I didn't choose A, steadily = gradually = slowly over a period of time. It sounds okay as well. Can you help me to point out the difference in meaning or usage of these two words (steadily and consistently)?

Thank you very much in advance.

 

[tedmc]

'Consistently' describes the pattern in which things happen over time, which is regular and do not change.

'Start arriving consistently late' means a new pattern develops where shipments which have been punctual previously changed to being late repeatedly from a certain point in time

'Steadily' collocates with verbs (e.g. increase steadily, move steadily, etc.) and not 'late' which is an adjective.

not a teacher

 

[Hồ Quang Trung]

I'm grateful for your helps and precise answers.

 

[MikeNewYork]

As ted said, "consistently" works in your sentence. "Steadily" does not".

 

[Hồ Quang Trung]

As ted said, "consistently" works in your sentence. "Steadily" does not".

Thank you, Mike. I was wondering about this. Now it is clear.