It was foreseeable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It was foreseeable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing events or outcomes that could have been anticipated or predicted based on available information. Example: "The financial crisis was a result of many factors, but it was foreseeable that the housing market would eventually collapse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

"It was foreseeable that the European Parliament would refuse," Martin Schulz, the president of the legislature, said at a news conference shortly after the vote.

The New York Times

It was foreseeable that information needs between nurses and physicians differ.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

It was constituted in 1998, when it was foreseeable that the CECL would soon be bringing its work to a conclusion and would wind itself up.

Columbia University

"Even if it was foreseeable, it is no less painful".

The New York Times

The Illinois Supreme Court held that Emma's physician had a duty to her infant because it was foreseeable her children would experience serious complications.

Harvard University

After Daniel sued Jennifer's doctor, the court ruled that the doctor owed him a duty of care because it was foreseeable Jennifer would mature and have intimate relationships.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Due to its functional impact on transcription, it is foreseeable that histone methylation may participate in the regulation of pluripotent states by modulating the expression of pluripotency factors.

Cell Research

For all intents and purposes, it is foreseeable that Iran will use the issue to wage its own media war.

Huffington Post

It is foreseeable what this means for the value of magazines as a whole.

Harvard University

It is foreseeable that, driven by environmental legislation, lightweight products will gain much wider applications in the near future.

Physical Metallurgy

With the rapid growth in the aging population in Hong Kong, it is foreseeable that every flat unit will accommodate one senior citizen.

Cities

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "It was foreseeable", consider the audience. If the context is less formal, alternatives like "It was predictable" might be more suitable.

Common error

Avoid using "It was foreseeable" in casual conversation; it may sound overly formal or accusatory. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I knew it!" or "I saw that coming!".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It was foreseeable" functions as an assessment of predictability. It typically introduces a statement indicating that a past event or outcome could have been reasonably anticipated based on the available information at the time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English for discussing events that could have been predicted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "It was foreseeable" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express that an event or outcome could have been reasonably predicted. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it often appears in formal settings such as news, academic writing and scientific reports. While not incorrect in other contexts, the phrase may sound awkward or overly formal. The phrase is commonly used to assign responsibility or highlight negligence. Related phrases include "It was predictable", "It was anticipated", and "It could have been foreseen". While authoritative, overuse of "It was foreseeable" in everyday conversation should be avoided in favour of simpler alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It was predictable

Replaces "foreseeable" with "predictable", emphasizing the ability to anticipate the event.

It was anticipated

Uses "anticipated" instead of "foreseeable", suggesting a prior expectation.

It could have been foreseen

Emphasizes the possibility of foreseeing the event.

It wasn't unexpected

Expresses that the event aligns with prior expectations.

It was to be expected

Indicates that the event was likely to happen based on the circumstances.

It was a likely outcome

Focuses on the probability of the event occurring.

It was bound to happen

Suggests the event was inevitable.

The writing was on the wall

An idiomatic expression indicating clear signs of an impending event.

The signs were there

Suggests that evidence of an event was visible beforehand.

It was in the cards

Indicates that an event was destined to occur.

FAQs

How can I use "It was foreseeable" in a sentence?

You can use "It was foreseeable" to indicate that an event or outcome could have been reasonably anticipated. For example, "It was foreseeable that the company would face losses given the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "It was foreseeable"?

Alternatives include "It was predictable", "It was anticipated", or "It could have been foreseen", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "It was foreseeable" a formal expression?

Yes, "It was foreseeable" tends to be more formal and is often used in legal, business, or analytical contexts. Less formal alternatives might be more appropriate in casual conversation.

Can "It was foreseeable" be used to assign blame?

Yes, because "It was foreseeable" suggests that someone should have known or anticipated a particular outcome, it can imply a degree of responsibility or negligence. Consider the context carefully to avoid unintended accusations.