What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
flashforward
Example
In the movie, there is a flashforward to a scene where the main character is being chased by the police. [flashforward: noun]
Example
The TV show uses a lot of flashforwards to keep the audience engaged and guessing what will happen next. [flashforward: plural noun]
foreshadowing
Example
The dark clouds foreshadowed the coming storm. [foreshadowed: past tense verb]
Example
The author used foreshadowing to hint at the tragic ending of the story. [foreshadowing: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Foreshadowing is more commonly used than flashforward in literature, film, or television. Foreshadowing is a versatile device that can be used to hint at a broad range of outcomes or events, while flashforward is less common and usually focuses on a specific event or scene.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between flashforward and foreshadowing?
Both flashforward and foreshadowing are formal terms used in literature, film, or television. They are not commonly used in everyday language and are more likely to be encountered in academic or critical discussions of media.
