forecasting

USAGE SUMMARY

"forecasting" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe making predictions about the future based on existing information, such as when making business plans or analyzing data. For example, you could say "The company used forecasting to decide the best location for a new store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He also feels strongly that the IMF crisis need never have happened if the Treasury had not double-counted some elements of public spending and been better at forecasting.

The Guardian

A return to surplus and lower government debt remain a pipe dream, while unemployment is being left to drift with the Treasury forecasting no reduction in the unemployment rate until 2017 – at the earliest.

The Guardian

It has doubled its growth forecast for this year from 0.6% in March to 1.4% and is forecasting growth of 2.4% next year, up from a 1.8% forecast in March.

The Guardian

But it is still consulting industry stakeholders over the forecasting, which included a discussion in Melbourne on Tuesday.

The Guardian

"Although print is declining publishers have never been read by more people," said Jonathan Barnard, head of forecasting at ZenithOptimedia.

The Guardian

The Treasury is forecasting considerable strength in Australia's major trading partners, with annual growth expected to be 4.5% in both 2015 and 2016 and 4.25% in 2017.

The Guardian

Why wouldn't you be a bit more "aggressive" in your forecasting?

The Guardian - Opinion

Goldman Sachs is forecasting an improved "churn rate" – a measure of customers leaving – of 10.5%, from 10.9% a year ago.

The Guardian

A report by Opec forecasting that demand for oil will fall next year and a separate study showing US stockpiles growing were the trigger for another round of selling on the oil markets on Wednesday, driving prices down further.

The Guardian - Business

And Jens Weidmann, president of Germany's Bundesbank, says that Stephen King, the chief economist at HSBC, is "perhaps right" in forecasting the demise of that fashionable financial panacea of recent decades – central bank independence.

The Guardian - Business

Councils are forecasting a £4.3bn black hole in social care funding in England by 2020.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "forecasting", be specific about the data and methods used to make the prediction. Transparency enhances credibility.

Common error

Don't assume that past trends will perfectly predict the future. External factors and unforeseen events can significantly impact the accuracy of any "forecasting" model.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "forecasting" is that of a verb, typically used in its gerund or present participle form. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable term. Examples show it describing the act of predicting or projecting future trends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "forecasting" is a versatile verb form widely used to describe the process of predicting future events or trends. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and common term, especially in contexts such as news reporting, business planning, and scientific research. When using "forecasting", clarity and transparency are key, as is awareness of the limitations inherent in predicting the future. By understanding its grammatical function, communicative purpose, and common usage patterns, you can effectively incorporate "forecasting" into your writing. Remember to consider alternatives like "predicting" or "projecting" to add nuance to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predicting

Focuses on declaring or indicating something that will happen in the future.

prognosticating

Implies a more formal or expert prediction, often in a scientific or medical context.

estimating

Involves approximating a value or outcome, often with less precision than a forecast.

projecting

Suggests extending current trends into the future.

anticipating

Emphasizes expecting or preparing for something before it happens.

envisaging

Highlights the mental visualization of a future possibility.

foretelling

Conveys a sense of prophecy or divination.

assessing

Implies evaluating the likelihood of future events based on current information.

calculating

Focuses on a mathematical or logical prediction.

speculating

Suggests making a prediction based on incomplete or uncertain information.

FAQs

How is "forecasting" typically used in a sentence?

"Forecasting" is often used as a verb to describe the act of predicting future events or trends, as in "The company is "forecasting" increased sales next quarter".

What are some alternatives to the word "forecasting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "predicting", "projecting", or "estimating" instead of "forecasting".

What's the difference between "forecasting" and "predicting"?

While similar, "forecasting" often implies a more structured and data-driven approach to making predictions, whereas "predicting" can be more general.

In what fields is "forecasting" commonly used?

"Forecasting" is a common practice in fields like economics, finance, meteorology, and business, where predicting future trends is crucial for planning and decision-making.