I predicted that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I predicted that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a forecast or expectation about a future event or outcome based on evidence or reasoning. Example: "I predicted that the team would win the championship based on their performance throughout the season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I predicted that, you know.

The Guardian - Sport

In 2014, I predicted that 2015 would break record temperatures.

The Guardian

(I predicted that they would win fifty-three seats).

The New Yorker

I predicted that you were going to win".

The New York Times

I predicted that Republican Never Trumpers would fold and offer their loyalty to the new President.

The New Yorker

"I predicted that nationalist forces will engage in an orgy of expropriation," he says.

The New York Times - Books

I predicted that Samsung would announce 20 million GS4 sales in mid-June.

The Guardian - Tech

I predicted that the investigative press would be weakened and that reality would grow murkier.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

I predict that science will never know it all.

The Guardian - Books

I predict that soon those will begin to emerge.

TechCrunch

But I predict that down the line, people will figure out how delicious the show is.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I predicted that" when you want to assert your prior expectation of a specific outcome, often implying you had a reasonable basis for your prediction.

Common error

Avoid using "I predicted that" if your claim is based on a mere guess or lacks substantial evidence. Instead, use softer phrases like "I suspected that" or "I thought that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I predicted that" functions as a declarative statement introducing a prediction made by the speaker. It asserts a past belief about a future event, often implying a degree of confidence or reasoning behind the prediction as Ludwig highlights.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I predicted that" is a common and grammatically correct way to introduce a previously made prediction, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's used across various registers, but most frequently in news and media. While asserting a prior belief, it's important to use it judiciously, ensuring a reasonable basis for the prediction and avoiding overstatement. Alternatives like "I anticipated that" or "I expected that" can offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I foresaw that

Emphasizes anticipation based on insight or prior knowledge.

I anticipated that

Highlights expecting something to happen, often with preparation.

I expected that

Indicates a belief that something would occur.

I prognosticated that

Implies a formal or expert prediction, often based on analysis.

I prophesied that

Suggests a prediction with a sense of authority or inspiration.

I had a feeling that

Conveys an intuitive sense or hunch about a future event.

I surmised that

Indicates a conclusion reached with limited evidence.

I guessed that

Implies a less certain prediction, often based on intuition.

I figured that

Suggests a conclusion reached through reasoning or calculation.

I envisioned that

Highlights a mental image or scenario of a future event.

FAQs

How can I use "I predicted that" in a sentence?

Use "I predicted that" to introduce a statement about something you previously believed would happen, often based on some reasoning or observation. For example, "I predicted that the stock market would crash after the interest rate hike".

What are some alternatives to "I predicted that"?

You can use alternatives like "I anticipated that", "I expected that", or "I foresaw that" to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

Is it better to say "I predicted that" or "I had predicted that"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "I had predicted that" implies that the prediction occurred further in the past relative to another past event. "I predicted that" is generally sufficient for most cases.

What's the difference between "I predicted that" and "I suspected that"?

"I predicted that" suggests a firmer belief or expectation based on some evidence. "I suspected that", on the other hand, implies a weaker belief or hunch without strong supporting evidence.