cannot be foreseen

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot be foreseen" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is impossible to predict or know in advance. For example: "The outcome of the election cannot be foreseen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

The past cannot be clung to; the future cannot be foreseen.

The New York Times - Arts

Our region will drown in a conflict whose outcome cannot be foreseen".

The Guardian

He is likely to remain unfit for a period that cannot be foreseen with any accuracy.

The Guardian

A new rechargeable battery technology cannot be foreseen today that surpasses this.

Materials Research Bulletin

Some technologists say that once faster networks are deployed, new uses will emerge that cannot be foreseen today.

The New York Times - Science

What it will find cannot be foreseen, but it is impossible to expect that experiments at the LHC will answer all the questions concerning this new physics.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

That is a day whose coming cannot yet be foreseen.

The New York Times

In early 1991, when this Essay was in preparation, the breakup of the Union came to seem inevitable, but what will emerge cannot yet be foreseen.

Columbia University

The novel, on the contrary, started off with a most absorbing murder mystery, the unraveling of which, as worked out, cannot possibly be foreseen until the very last pages.

Stanford University

I may be wrong, but I am fairly certain that no village on earth should have the power to approve a project the consequences of which, for the entire planet, cannot possibly be foreseen.

The New Yorker

But our experience in this tragic region teaches that the opposite will occur: the mechanisms of violent response, the cycles of vengeance and hatred, Monday began a new round, whose magnitude cannot yet be foreseen.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing future events or outcomes, use "cannot be foreseen" to acknowledge inherent uncertainties and avoid making definitive predictions.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot be foreseen" when some level of prediction is possible. Instead, acknowledge the uncertainty while still providing potential scenarios or likelihoods.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot be foreseen" functions as a descriptor, indicating the unpredictable nature of an event or outcome. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across diverse contexts to express inherent uncertainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot be foreseen" is a versatile expression used to convey the inherent unpredictability of future events. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and academic writing. While alternatives like "cannot be predicted" and "cannot be anticipated" offer similar meanings, "cannot be foreseen" effectively communicates a sense of genuine uncertainty, cautioning against definitive expectations and predictions. When writing, be mindful of overstating certainty and use this phrase to acknowledge the limits of foresight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be anticipated

This alternative focuses on the lack of ability to expect something in advance.

cannot be predicted

This alternative emphasizes the impossibility of making a reliable forecast.

is impossible to predict

This alternative provides a more direct and emphatic restatement of the original meaning.

cannot be envisaged

This alternative refers to the inability to form a mental image or expectation.

cannot be estimated

This alternative highlights the lack of ability to approximate a value or outcome.

cannot be determined

This alternative focuses on the impossibility of establishing something definitively.

lies beyond prediction

This alternative uses a more descriptive and figurative language to convey unpredictability.

defies anticipation

This alternative suggests that something actively resists being foreseen.

is beyond conjecture

This alternative suggests that even speculative guesses are impossible.

remains uncertain

This alternative directly points out the unresolved and unpredictable nature of an event or outcome.

FAQs

What does "cannot be foreseen" mean?

The phrase "cannot be foreseen" means that something is impossible to predict or know in advance. It suggests a complete lack of predictability due to various factors.

How can I use "cannot be foreseen" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot be foreseen" to describe situations where the outcome is uncertain, such as: "The long-term effects of the policy "cannot be foreseen"."

Are there alternatives to "cannot be foreseen"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "cannot be predicted", "cannot be anticipated", or "remains uncertain depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "cannot be foreseen"?

It is appropriate to use "cannot be foreseen" when you want to emphasize that a future outcome is genuinely unpredictable and beyond any reliable estimation.