What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prophesy
Example
The prophet prophesied that a great flood would come and wash away the city. [prophesied: past tense]
Example
She prophesied that the company would go bankrupt if they didn't change their business model. [prophesied: verb]
forecast
Example
The weather forecast predicts rain for the next three days. [forecast: noun]
Example
The economist forecasted a recession based on the current market trends. [forecasted: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Forecast is more commonly used than prophesy in everyday language, especially in technical or scientific contexts. Prophesy is less common and more formal, often associated with religious or mystical beliefs.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prophesy and forecast?
Prophesy is typically associated with a formal and religious tone, while forecast is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.