difficult to foresee that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult to foresee that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations or outcomes that are hard to predict or anticipate. Example: "Given the rapid changes in technology, it is often difficult to foresee that certain jobs will become obsolete in the near future."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Most probably, in the near future this aspect of individual genetic profile will gain more and more relevance and it is not difficult to foresee that will be considered as a major determinant in assessing the so called "personalized nutrition".

Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition

And, he said, it was difficult to foresee that the rise of Facebook and Twitter and personal blogs would become troves of data to be collected and exploited in tracking people's online behavior.

The New York Times - Science

Yet it is already difficult to foresee that a city of about 90,000 people that struggled with explosive growth earlier in this decade will emerge in the same form.

The New York Times

While charting the exact course of the extreme rains driven by this El Niño will be harder than ever before, it's not too difficult to foresee that those rains are likely to be charged with extra precipitation added by global warming.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

That is the problem: When you're caught up in running your business, it's difficult to foresee the shifts that could upend it, Mr. Bhusri said.

The New York Times - Tech

Quite apart from the fact that Sevilla's third consecutive final appearance means it isn't that difficult to foresee who'll be in the shake-up, an average attendance of 45,000 in six finals since Uefa's overhaul might have provided a clue.

The Guardian - Sport

Species that seem today to be doing fine may be sensitive to change in ways that are difficult to foresee.

The New Yorker

These are generally mediated by technology-induced changes in human experience and behaviour that are difficult to foresee.

The Economist

Especially for liner shipping, changing the schedule for any reason might create bottlenecks and introduce more variability in the global system, which could create issues that are difficult to foresee (Harrison & Fichtinger, 2013).

Journal of Shipping and Trade

We conclude that contamination thresholds are likely to be biologically insufficient to prevent environmental contamination and bear the potential to legally allow genetic pollution of the environment defeating the real purpose of the legislation, with consequences that are difficult to foresee.

Environmental Sciences Europe

And despite Mr Kerry's assertion that he will not "be so stuck in the mud that an opportunity to actually get something done is flagrantly wasted", it is unfortunately difficult to foresee anything in the near term that could create common ground.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "difficult to foresee that" when you want to express uncertainty about a future outcome, especially when considering multiple influencing factors. For example, "Given the complex interplay of economic forces, it's often difficult to foresee that a particular policy will lead to the desired results."

Common error

Avoid using "difficult to foresee that" when a situation is already known or highly probable. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing seem less precise. Instead, use stronger language to convey certainty when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult to foresee that" functions as an adjectival phrase introducing a clause. It qualifies the possibility of predicting a future event, suggesting uncertainty. As shown in Ludwig, its uses range from scientific contexts to news media.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "difficult to foresee that" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to convey uncertainty about future events. Although it's relatively rare, Ludwig's AI confirms its validity and appropriateness across different contexts, particularly in science and news media. To enhance clarity in your writing, consider related phrases like "hard to predict that" or "challenging to anticipate that". Be mindful of overstating certainty and leverage this phrase when acknowledging the inherent complexities that make predictions elusive. The examples confirm that "difficult to foresee that" is appropriately used to temper expectations and recognize potential unforeseen factors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard to predict that

Emphasizes the challenge in making accurate predictions.

challenging to anticipate that

Highlights the difficulty in anticipating a specific outcome.

difficult to anticipate that

Similar to 'foresee' but with a focus on proactive anticipation.

not easy to foresee that

Uses simpler language to convey the difficulty in prediction.

unlikely to predict that

Focuses on the low probability of successfully predicting an event.

cannot be easily foreseen that

Uses passive voice to emphasize the lack of predictability.

not foreseeable that

Uses a more formal tone to indicate a lack of predictability.

unpredictable that

Directly states the unpredictable nature of an event.

hard to imagine that

Highlights the difficulty in forming a mental image of a future event.

obscure to foresee that

Indicates the reasons behind the difficulty to foresee that.

FAQs

How can I use "difficult to foresee that" in a sentence?

Use "difficult to foresee that" to express the challenge of predicting a future event or outcome, especially when many variables are involved. For instance, "It is "hard to predict that" the new regulations will significantly impact small businesses".

What are some alternatives to "difficult to foresee that"?

You can use phrases like ""hard to predict that"", "challenging to anticipate that", or "not easy to foresee that" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "difficult to foresee that"?

It's appropriate when the outcome is genuinely uncertain and influenced by numerous factors. If the outcome is almost certain, using a phrase like "virtually certain that" or "highly likely that" would be more accurate.

What's the difference between "difficult to foresee that" and "unlikely to happen"?

"Difficult to foresee that" focuses on the challenge of prediction, while "unlikely to happen" suggests a low probability of occurrence. The former implies uncertainty; the latter implies a negative expectation. Use "difficult to foresee that" when the future is unclear, and "unlikely to happen" when you believe something probably won't occur.