forecast towards

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forecast towards" is not commonly used in written English and may not be considered correct.
It could be used in contexts where you are discussing predictions or projections directed at a specific target or outcome, but it is more typical to use "forecast for" or "forecast about." Example: "The meteorologist provided a forecast towards the upcoming storm season, highlighting potential impacts on the region."

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The ONS also reported that the government's borrowing rose to a record £90bn in 2008, higher than the £78bn the chancellor had forecast towards the end of 2008 and £55bn more than 2007.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Greece's public debt was forecast to rise towards 190% of GDP, before some of its private-sector creditors agreed to a bigger write-off of what they are owed.

The Economist

The bad weather is forecast to move towards the state capital, Brisbane, and the state of New South Wales.

BBC

In short, the SmartEstimate is weighted towards forecast from analysts with the best track records for predicting corporate profits.

Forbes

While at the convention, Telltale announced that the first episode was forecast for release towards the end of 2006, via the distribution service GameTap.

Wikipedia

The depression was moving towards the northwest at 8 mph (13 km/h) and the same general motion was expected as a large upper-level low situated over the system was forecast to move towards the northeast, leading to Eleven moving around the periphery of the low.

Wikipedia

Group assets under administration at 30 June was well ahead of expectations at £328bn (31 Dec 2015: £307.4bn) compared to our £320m forecast reflecting market movements towards the period end and positive foreign exchange post Brexit.

The Guardian - Business

Typhoon Bolaven is forecast to be moving towards the Korean Peninsula and is likely to move west of Seoul.

BBC

Diana proved difficult for meteorologists to forecast, initially moving westward towards Cape Canaveral, but then turned to the north and paralleled the coastline.

Wikipedia

In the small, largely Indigenous, town of Yirrkala, those with access to the internet plot the ominous red circle on the Bureau of Meteorology forecast map as it tracks towards Cape Wessel and Elcho Island (on Wednesday it appeared Lam's tail may skirt Yirrkala and Nhulunbuy by Thursday).

The Guardian

An area of high pressure located over the southwestern United States was forecast to steer the system towards the northwest for most of its existence.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing forecasts, consider using more common prepositions like "for" or "about" for clarity and wider acceptance.

Common error

Avoid consistently using phrases like "forecast towards" in formal writing. While not strictly incorrect, overuse can make your writing sound unnatural or less polished. Opt for more common alternatives like "forecast for" to ensure clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forecast towards" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb by indicating direction or orientation of a forecast. However, Ludwig highlights that this usage is less common than other alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, "forecast towards" is a less common and potentially awkward phrase. Ludwig AI suggests that using more standard alternatives like "forecast for" or "forecast about" improves clarity and readability. The phrase aims to indicate a prediction oriented toward a specific outcome. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, but its infrequent usage suggests opting for more conventional phrasing in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forecast for

A more standard and widely accepted alternative using the preposition "for".

projected toward

Uses "projected" instead of "forecast", emphasizing a planned direction.

forecast about

Focuses on the topic or subject of the forecast, rather than a direction.

predicted to head towards

Specifies movement, focusing on the direction something is moving.

expected to move toward

Replaces "forecast" with "expected", highlighting the anticipated movement.

anticipated in the direction of

More formal, emphasizing expectation of movement in a specific direction.

outlook for

Uses "outlook" as a synonym for "forecast", focusing on the future.

projected trajectory towards

Emphasizes the path or course of the forecast.

estimate moving towards

Uses "estimate" instead of "forecast", highlighting the approximate nature of the prediction.

forecast directing to

Uses a different verb to indicate the direction of the forecast.

FAQs

Is "forecast towards" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "forecast towards" is less common than other alternatives. Ludwig AI indicates that it might not be considered correct. Consider using "forecast for" or "forecast about" for better clarity.

What does "forecast towards" mean?

The phrase suggests a prediction or projection that is directed or oriented towards a specific outcome or target. However, its usage is infrequent, and the meaning can often be better conveyed with alternatives.

Which is better, "forecast towards" or "forecast for"?

"Forecast for" is generally preferred as it is more widely accepted and commonly used. "Forecast towards" is less frequent and might sound unusual to some readers.

How can I improve my writing using "forecast"?

Focus on clarity and precision. Choose the preposition that best fits the context. "Forecast for" is suitable when predicting outcomes, while "forecast about" is appropriate when discussing the subject of the forecast.