What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prefigure
Example
The dark clouds prefigure a storm. [prefigure: verb]
Example
The painting's use of color and imagery prefigures the artist's later work. [prefigures: present tense]
anticipate
Example
I anticipate a busy day at work tomorrow. [anticipate: verb]
Example
The company is anticipating a surge in demand for their products. [anticipating: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Anticipate is more commonly used than prefigure in everyday language. Anticipate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while prefigure is less common and more formal, and typically used in specific contexts such as literature or philosophy.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between prefigure and anticipate?
Prefigure is typically associated with a more formal tone, while anticipate is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.