forecasts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forecasts" 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 business. Example: "The latest forecasts indicate a significant increase in sales for the upcoming quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Recent revisions to budget forecasts imply that the U.S. government no longer needs additional revenues to control its deficits.

The Guardian

They contained daily forecasts of the interest rates charged between banks for lending in Japan's yen currency.

The Guardian - Business

4 Property Ladder reappears on TV. 5 Bombastic US television stock-picker Jim Cramer appears unusually subdued and forecasts a slump.

The Guardian - Business

The OBR says the unexpected rise in net migration to 298,000 in the last year – three times higher than the Conservatives' 100,000 target – has been a factor in its decision to upgrade its forecasts for Britain's economic growth.

The Guardian

So the FTSE 100 is down 41.20 points at 6302.40, with little impact from UK inflation figures in line with forecasts.

The Guardian - Business

Add up Primark growth, margins in Grocery getting to 10%, returns on recent investments and reversing Chinese/Australian losses, and forecasts can get out of hand.

The Guardian - Business

Paul Johnson, director of the Institute for Fiscal Studies thinktank, said: "Two more years of substantial real public spending cuts: that is what the chancellor has promised in response to the OBR's dramatically worsened macroeconomic forecasts.

The Guardian

Why, even though the Lib Dems have signed up to the forecasts and broad policy, cracks are appearing in the ranks.

The Guardian - Business

Reuters quotes a government source in Berlin who says the German government will announce tomorrow that the economy will grow by 0.7% in 2012, which represents 'no change' on the previous forecasts.

The Guardian - Business

Homebase in particular saw sales rise 3.8% compared to forecasts of a flat performance.

The Guardian - Business

One of the main complaints was the level of importance given to the opinion polls - many viewers thought voter turnout was low because the pundits' forecasts made voting seem irrelevant.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing future trends or predictions in formal writing, use "forecasts" to maintain a professional tone. It is especially useful when referencing data-driven or expert-derived estimates.

Common error

Avoid using "forecasts" as a verb; it is a noun. Use "forecast" or "forecasting" for verb forms. For example, use "analysts forecast a rise in interest rates" instead of "analysts forecasts a rise in interest rates".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "forecasts" is as a plural noun. It typically functions as the subject or object in a sentence, referring to multiple predictions or estimations. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "forecasts" functions as a plural noun indicating multiple predictions or estimates. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. While alternatives such as "predictions" or "estimates" exist, "forecasts" is preferred in more formal or technical settings. A key writing tip is to avoid using "forecasts" as a verb, ensuring it remains a noun describing the outcomes of forecasting processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predictions

Focuses on the act of foretelling events.

projections

Emphasizes estimated future values based on current data.

future predictions

A more explicit way of referring to predictions about the future.

estimates

Highlights approximations of future outcomes.

expectations

Reflects anticipated results or events.

outlook

Suggests a general perspective on future prospects.

assessments

Implies a formal evaluation of future possibilities.

anticipations

Focuses on expecting or looking forward to certain events.

economic outlooks

Specifically refers to prospects for future financial performance.

future trends

Highlights the direction or pattern of future developments.

FAQs

How is "forecasts" used in a sentence?

"Forecasts" is used as a noun to refer to predictions or estimations of future events, like in "economic forecasts" or "weather forecasts".

What are some synonyms for "forecasts"?

Alternatives for "forecasts" include "predictions", "projections", "estimates", or "expectations", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "forecast" and "forecasts"?

"Forecast" is a singular noun or a verb, while "forecasts" is the plural noun. Use "forecast" when referring to a single prediction and "forecasts" when referring to multiple predictions.

When should I use "predictions" instead of "forecasts"?

Use "predictions" when referring to more general or informal anticipations. Use "forecasts" when referring to specific, often data-driven, estimates, especially in professional or technical contexts.