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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

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didn't foresee
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

Alternative expressions(7)

did not anticipate

did not expect

failed to predict

was caught off guard

it never crossed my mind

was blind to

overlooked

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I didn't foresee that".

News & Media

The New York Times

"I didn't foresee it," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

We didn't foresee the globalisation of labour.

News & Media

Independent

"I didn't foresee a patent or anything".

News & Media

The New York Times

He didn't foresee the possibility of any more comebacks.

News & Media

The New Yorker

"We didn't foresee the market doing what it did".

News & Media

The New York Times

I certainly didn't foresee a big sexism row over it.

News & Media

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But I didn't foresee what would happen next.

News & Media

The New York Times

"But we didn't foresee what would happen to the economy in 2008".

News & Media

The New York Times

"What I didn't foresee was the teachers rising up," he said.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

When I was a child, I did not foresee this.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "didn't foresee" to express a lack of anticipation or prediction, especially when reflecting on past events or decisions. It adds a touch of hindsight and can soften criticism by acknowledging that something was genuinely unexpected.

Common error

Avoid using "didn't foresee" as a blanket excuse for poor planning. While it acknowledges the unexpected, ensure that the situation genuinely involved unforeseeable elements, rather than simply neglecting obvious possibilities.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "didn't foresee" functions as a negative past tense verb phrase. It expresses a lack of anticipation or prediction regarding an event or situation in the past. Ludwig's examples confirm its role in narrating unforeseen circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

Science

Less common in

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "didn't foresee" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a lack of anticipation or prediction about a past event. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to explain or justify a lack of preparedness. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to use the phrase accurately, avoiding it as an excuse for neglecting obvious possibilities. Alternatives such as "did not anticipate" or "failed to predict" can be used to vary expression, depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions(10)

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not anticipate

More formal alternative, focusing on the lack of anticipation.

did not expect

A common and direct alternative, simply stating a lack of expectation.

failed to predict

Emphasizes the inability to predict a future event.

had no inkling

Suggests a complete lack of awareness or suspicion.

was caught off guard

Focuses on the surprise element of an unforeseen event.

was not prepared for

Highlights the lack of readiness for a particular situation.

it never crossed my mind

Expresses a complete absence of consideration for something.

was blind to

Suggests a lack of awareness, often due to negligence or unwillingness to see.

overlooked

A simpler, more direct alternative implying neglect in considering something.

never saw it coming

An informal expression emphasizing the unexpected nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "didn't foresee" in a sentence?

You can use "didn't foresee" to express a lack of anticipation or prediction about something. For example, "I "didn't foresee" the market crash affecting my investments".

What are some alternatives to "didn't foresee"?

Alternatives include "did not anticipate", "did not expect", or "failed to predict", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "did not foresee" instead of "didn't foresee"?

Yes, "did not foresee" is slightly more formal than "didn't foresee", which is a contraction. Both are grammatically correct, but the uncontracted form is often preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between "didn't foresee" and "should have foreseen"?

"Didn't foresee" indicates a genuine lack of anticipation, while "should have foreseen" implies that the event was predictable and the failure to anticipate it was a mistake. For example, you might say "I "didn't foresee" the rain ruining the picnic", but "I should have foreseen the traffic jam and left earlier".

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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didn't foreseeGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

didn't foresee
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples