envisage

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "envisage" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to imagining or visualizing something in the future. For example, "We must envisage a future in which everyone has access to quality healthcare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is a measure of the extent to which Cameron needs Clegg to survive that his next best hope is Ed Davey, the Lib Dem energy secretary, who has said that he finds it "incredibly difficult" to envisage another pact between his own party and the Tories.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is hard to envisage Google Maps' particularity because there are no real alternatives.

The Guardian

In the dystopian society they envisage, machines have taken over most jobs and humans are left idle – except for those who know how to code.

The Guardian - Opinion

In terms of the Sun's decision, I envisage little smirks and condescending comments from male cynics who believe us feminists focus on irrelevancies.

The Guardian - Opinion

Voters also envisage the Lib Dems on 14%, ahead of Ukip on 10%, all figures that are unchanged from the provisional data.

The Guardian

In the 19-page report, titled The Secret Nuclear Threat and published online alongside a picture of his UK passport and Royal Navy identity card, McNeilly said he wanted "to break down the false images of a perfect system that most people envisage exists".

The Guardian

"He [Morse] did not envisage things playing out the way that they have and was sorry for the individuals in HMRC who had been bruised by the actions of the PAC and for the difficulties the department had experienced," Hartnett wrote.

The Guardian

In the US, where there is massive inequality but also a substantial black middle class, they can envisage minorities in all sorts of situations and cast accordingly.

The Guardian

"Just because you envisage building a tourist city, it doesn't mean the tourists will come".

The Guardian

Given the Coalition's current standing in the polls is there any circumstances you can envisage that 'double D' threat being carried out – or was it the whisky talking at the time?

The Guardian

Indian Summers, which its creators envisage will run for an epic five series, 50-part run, has been recommissioned for a second series after its opening episode's ratings were Channel 4's biggest for a new UK drama for more than 20 years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "envisage" when you want to convey a sense of carefully considering and forming a mental image of a future possibility. It adds a touch of formality and sophistication to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "envisage" in very simple or informal contexts where a more common word like "imagine" or "see" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The word "envisage" functions primarily as a transitive verb. It signifies the mental action of forming a concept or image of something, often relating to future possibilities or scenarios, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "envisage" is a versatile transitive verb used to express the act of imagining or forming a mental picture, frequently in the context of future possibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, especially in formal writing. The frequency analysis reveals that "envisage" is a common term in news, business, and scientific domains. While it is not incorrect to use "envisage" in simple contexts, it is important to choose the right word to fit the tone of your writing; often, words like "imagine" or "see" are better. Semantically, the closest alternatives are “imagine”, “envision”, “conceive of”, “picture” and “visualize”. In conclusion, "envisage" is a valuable addition to one's vocabulary, lending a touch of sophistication to writing when appropriately used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imagine

Direct synonym; replaces "envisage" with a more common and widely understood term.

envision

A very close synonym, often interchangeable with "envisage".

conceive of

Emphasizes the mental process of forming an idea or plan.

visualize

Focuses on creating a detailed mental picture.

picture

Focuses on creating a mental image of something.

foresee

Suggests anticipating a future event or situation.

anticipate

Highlights expecting or predicting something will happen.

contemplate

Implies considering something thoughtfully and at length.

foretell

Suggests predicting the future, often through supernatural means.

dream of

Implies a hopeful or idealistic imagining of something.

FAQs

How can I use "envisage" in a sentence?

You can use "envisage" to describe the act of imagining or conceiving something, like in the sentence "I can't "envisage an intimate life" again after that experience."

What words are similar to "envisage"?

Similar words include "imagine", "envision", "conceive of", and "visualize", all suggesting the act of forming a mental image or idea.

Is it correct to say "I envisage that...?"

Yes, it is grammatically correct. For example, "I "envisage that" the project will be completed on time."

What is the difference between "envisage" and "predict"?

"Envisage" involves forming a mental picture or idea, while "predict" means to state what will happen in the future. "Envisage" is more about imagining possibilities, whereas "predict" is about forecasting probabilities.