below forecast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "below forecast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where performance, sales, or results are not meeting expected levels or predictions. Example: "The company's quarterly earnings were below forecast, prompting a review of our sales strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

Inflation has persistently tended to come in below forecast.

The Economist

Wal-Mart's August sales were less than expected, the second consecutive month they were below forecast.

The New York Times

Savings will be higher if inflation is higher than forecast, but lower if inflation comes in below forecast.

The Guardian

It also says that August sales are below forecast as shoppers buy fewer sweaters and jeans at the company's Express and Limited chains.

The New York Times

Upmarket estate agent Savills warned yesterday that profits for 2008 would be "significantly" below forecast as the housing market continues to be clobbered by the credit crunch.

The Guardian - Business

August sales are below forecast as shoppers buy fewer sweaters and decorated jeans at the Express and Limited chains, the company said in a statement.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

According to a December survey by the National Conference of State Legislatures, 43 states report revenues are below forecasts.

The New York Times

Late Monday, Alcoa reported earnings that beat expectations, though revenue was below forecasts.

The New York Times

Gateway plunged 24percentt on Friday after it said that its fourth-quarter earnings would come in below forecasts.

The New York Times

However, spending only rose by 0.2%, below forecasts.

The Guardian - Business

The results were drastically below forecasts of about £7 million.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "below forecast" to set expectations. When you expect some data or profits to be lower than what you predicted you can use it for transparency purposes.

Common error

Avoid using "below forecast" as a euphemism for unrealistic or overly optimistic projections. Ensure that the initial forecast was based on reasonable analysis and data, not simply wishful thinking.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "below forecast" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun (e.g., sales, revenue, profits). It describes something that is less than what was predicted or expected. Ludwig examples confirm this use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "below forecast" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe results that fall short of predictions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's frequently used in news and business contexts to report on financial performance or economic data. While the phrase is suitable for formal writing, it's important to ensure that initial forecasts were realistic. Alternatives include phrases like "under projected levels" or "less than anticipated", but "below forecast" is a concise and widely understood term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

under projected levels

Replaces "forecast" with "projected levels", emphasizing a numerical target.

less than anticipated

Substitutes "forecast" with "anticipated", focusing on expectations.

short of predictions

Uses "predictions" instead of "forecast", implying a prophetic element.

underestimated results

Rephrases to focus on the act of underestimation rather than the forecast itself.

not up to par

Uses an idiomatic expression implying a standard of performance.

failing to meet expectations

More verbose, explicitly stating the failure to meet expectations.

lagging behind projections

Emphasizes a delay or trailing position relative to the forecast.

results weaker than expected

Focuses on the weakness of the results compared to what was expected.

off target

Uses a more general term indicating deviation from the intended goal.

below the mark

Similar to "off target", indicating a failure to reach a specific standard.

FAQs

How can I use "below forecast" in a sentence?

You can use "below forecast" to describe situations where actual outcomes are lower than expected, such as "The company's revenue for this quarter was "below forecast" due to unexpected market conditions."

What are some alternatives to saying "below forecast"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "under projected levels", "less than anticipated", or "short of predictions" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it appropriate to use "below forecast" in formal writing?

Yes, "below forecast" is suitable for formal writing, especially in business, economics, and finance contexts. It's a clear and concise way to indicate that actual results did not meet expectations.

What's the difference between "below forecast" and "below expectation"?

While both phrases indicate that something is less than anticipated, "below forecast" typically refers to a specific numerical projection or estimate, whereas "below expectation" is more general and can refer to any kind of anticipation or hope.