What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
foretell
Example
The fortune teller foretold that I would meet someone special soon. [foretold: past tense]
Example
The weather forecast foretells a storm coming our way. [foretells: present tense]
augur
Example
The howling of the wolves augurs bad luck for the village. [augurs: present tense]
Example
The ancient Greeks believed that the flight of birds could augur the outcome of battles. [augur: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Foretell is more commonly used than augur in everyday language. Foretell is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while augur is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between foretell and augur?
Augur is more formal than foretell due to its association with superstition and mysticism. It is typically used in more formal or literary contexts, while foretell can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
