a foregone conclusion

USAGE SUMMARY

"a foregone conclusion" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a situation in which the outcome is certain and inevitable. For example: "The result of the election was a foregone conclusion - most polls had predicted the outcome for months."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A foregone conclusion.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's a foregone conclusion.

The New York Times

It's close to a foregone conclusion.

The New Yorker

His victory was a foregone conclusion.

The Economist

But it was never a foregone conclusion.

The New Yorker

But neither is a foregone conclusion".

Independent

It seemed like a foregone conclusion, really.

The New York Times

That's hardly a foregone conclusion.

The Guardian - Money

Is his confirmation a foregone conclusion?

The New Yorker

The result is a foregone conclusion.

The Guardian

For many, it was a foregone conclusion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a foregone conclusion" to emphasize the inevitability of an event or outcome, especially when discussing plans, strategies, or predictions.

Common error

Avoid using "a foregone conclusion" when the outcome is not truly certain, as this can create a false sense of security or discourage necessary effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foregone conclusion" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a predicate nominative or an appositive. It describes a situation or result that is considered inevitable. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foregone conclusion" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe an inevitable outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it's appropriate for use in diverse contexts, including news, academic, and business settings. When using the phrase, make sure the outcome is truly certain to avoid misrepresentation. Alternative phrases like "a certainty" or "an inevitable result" can be used for variety. Its usage is very common, and most frequent contexts are News & Media, Academia and Formal & Business.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a certainty

This alternative is shorter and more direct, emphasizing the lack of doubt about the outcome.

an inevitable result

This alternative focuses on the unavoidable nature of the outcome, highlighting the impossibility of preventing it.

a predictable outcome

This alternative emphasizes the ability to foresee the result based on current circumstances or past experiences.

a sure thing

This alternative is more informal, suggesting a high degree of confidence in the outcome.

a done deal

This alternative indicates that the decision or outcome has already been finalized and cannot be changed.

a matter of course

This alternative suggests that the outcome is a natural and expected consequence of the situation.

virtually certain

This alternative communicates a very high probability, but leaves a slight possibility of an unexpected change.

practically guaranteed

This alternative suggests a strong assurance that the outcome will occur, often based on specific conditions or agreements.

as good as done

This alternative expresses that although some minor actions have to be performed, the final result is undeniable.

preordained

This alternative implies that the outcome was determined in advance by a higher power or fate.

FAQs

How can I use "a foregone conclusion" in a sentence?

Use "a foregone conclusion" to describe an outcome that is certain. For example, "Given their dominant performance, their victory was "a foregone conclusion"".

What's another way to say "a foregone conclusion"?

You can use alternatives like "a certainty", "an inevitable result", or "a predictable outcome" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a foregone conclusion" in formal writing?

Yes, "a foregone conclusion" is suitable for formal writing. It is widely used in news reports, academic papers, and business documents to describe predictable outcomes.

What is the difference between "a likely outcome" and "a foregone conclusion"?

"A likely outcome" suggests a high probability, but doesn't eliminate the possibility of a different result. "A foregone conclusion", on the other hand, suggests that the outcome is already determined and inevitable.