forecast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forecast" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing predictions or estimates about future events, particularly in contexts like weather, economics, or trends. Example: "The meteorologist provided a detailed forecast for the upcoming week, indicating possible rain on Thursday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I've worked multiple disasters, but I've never worked an ice storm with a forecast like this.

The Guardian

Searching for savings at the end of its term in government, Labor said it was indefinitely deferring the already legislated changes because the floating carbon price was forecast to be far lower than originally calculated and families did not need as much compensation.

The Guardian

It has acknowledged that the deficit, forecast at 8 percent of G.D.P. this year, needs to fall.

The New York Times

Today he had to admit that not only has he missed his debt target but that growth will be substantially lower than he forecast.

The Guardian - Opinion

This has fallen slightly since then, but their report suggests that with NHS England projections of flat cash for the NHS, and reasonable assumptions around forecast GDP growth, we could see our spend on healthcare falling back to around 6% of GDP by 2021, equivalent of 2003's spending levels.

The Guardian

Well, Wednesday's update from Lord Wolfson at Next was certainly optimistic (at least by his standards) in that he forecast "some recovery in the consumer environment" by the second quarter of next year.

The Guardian - Business

George Osborne's sunny economic forecast and much of his claim that Britain is a "comeback country" have more to do with higher than expected levels of net inward migration than his stewardship as chancellor or the falling oil price.

The Guardian

If Labour take three extra MEPs than the 23 they are forecast to get by PollWatch then they could prove instrumental.

The Guardian

The budget documents suggest that the government expects it to take people a while to save enough to be in a position to buy – spending on the policy is forecast to be £45m in the current tax year, increasing to £835m in 2019-20.

The Guardian - Money

The weather forecast is a little better for Friday – bright sunshine still but slightly stronger breezes.

The Guardian - Sport

Not in any year of the budget forward estimates is there a forecast to cut government spending in real terms which is unlike the post-crash period when, after the stimulus measures, government spending fell in real terms in 2010-11 and 2012-13.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about future events, clearly state the basis of your "forecast", whether it's data-driven, expert opinion, or a trend analysis.

Common error

Avoid presenting a "forecast" as an absolute certainty. Use qualifiers like "likely", "potential", or "projected" to acknowledge inherent uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The word "forecast" serves as both a noun and a verb, enabling it to represent either the act of predicting or the prediction itself. Ludwig shows that "forecast" is used in contexts ranging from weather predictions to economic projections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "forecast" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, primarily used to predict future events or conditions. As shown by Ludwig, it's most commonly found in news and media, business, and scientific contexts, carrying a neutral to professional tone. It's essential to use qualifiers when presenting a "forecast" to avoid overstating certainty. Related terms like "prediction" or "projection" can offer nuanced alternatives depending on the context. With Very common frequency, understanding its proper usage can significantly enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prediction

Focuses on stating what one thinks will happen in the future, often based on observation or reasoning.

prognosis

Often used in medical or technical contexts to predict the likely course of a disease or condition.

projection

Suggests an estimate or calculation of future trends based on current data.

estimate

Implies an approximate calculation or judgment of a quantity or value.

anticipation

Emphasizes the expectation of something happening, often with a sense of preparation or excitement.

outlook

Refers to a general view or prospect of the future, especially in business or economics.

expectation

Highlights a belief that something will happen or be the case.

calculation

Involves a more precise or mathematical determination of a future value or result.

assessment

Indicates a careful evaluation or judgment of a situation to predict potential outcomes.

estimation

Similar to estimate but can imply a more formal or systematic approach to guessing a future value.

FAQs

How is the term "forecast" typically used in a sentence?

The term "forecast" can function as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a prediction of future conditions, like "the weather forecast". As a verb, it means to predict or estimate a future event, such as "economists forecast a recession".

What are some alternatives to using the word "forecast"?

You can use alternatives like "prediction", "projection", "estimate", or "outlook" depending on the context.

What's the difference between a "forecast" and a prediction?

While both terms involve foretelling future events, a "forecast" often implies a more detailed and analytical approach, frequently based on data and models. A "prediction" can be a more general or intuitive assessment.

When is it appropriate to use "forecast" versus "estimate"?

"Forecast" is generally used when predicting future conditions or events over a specific period, like a financial "forecast". "Estimate" is more suitable for approximating current values or quantities, though it can also be used for future projections in less formal contexts.