What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
foreseen
Example
The company had foreseen the decline in sales and took measures to prevent it. [foreseen: past participle]
Example
I had foreseen this outcome from the beginning of the project. [foreseen: verb]
predict
Example
The weatherman predicted rain for tomorrow. [predicted: past tense]
Example
Experts predict that the economy will improve in the next quarter. [predict: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Predict is more commonly used than foreseen in everyday language. Predict is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while foreseen is less common and may have a more formal or literary tone.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between foreseen and predict?
Foreseen is typically associated with a more formal or literary tone, while predict is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.