What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
portend
Example
The dark clouds portend a storm. [portend: verb]
Example
The sudden silence in the room portended bad news. [portended: past tense]
forebode
Example
The howling wind forebodes a coming storm. [forebode: verb]
Example
The eerie silence in the forest foreboded danger. [foreboded: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Portend is more commonly used than forebode in everyday language, and is more versatile in terms of formality and usage.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between portend and forebode?
Portend is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while forebode is more formal and less commonly used in everyday language.
