foreseeable defeat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foreseeable defeat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one anticipates a loss or failure that is predictable based on current circumstances or evidence. Example: "Despite their best efforts, the team faced a foreseeable defeat due to their lack of preparation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

For the 1986 legislative elections the FN took advantage of a new proportional representation system that had been imposed by Mitterrand in order to moderate a foreseeable defeat for his PS.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The problem is so difficult, some critics say, that it threatens to defeat any foreseeable antimissile weapon.

The New York Times

The US will remain the overwhelmingly dominant military power for the foreseeable future; its partial defeats in Iraq and Afghanistan were paid for in death and destruction on a colossal scale; and multipolarity brings its own risks of conflict.

The Guardian - Opinion

This embryonic force is not going to defeat Qaddafi in the foreseeable future.

The New York Times

"Basically, Tiger is going to be the player to beat for the foreseeable future," said Darren Clarke of Ireland, who defeated Woods earlier this year at the Andersen Consulting Match Play Championship.

The New York Times - Sports

But his remarks at a news conference about expected violence in the next six months show that the military does not expect any sort of decisive defeat of insurgent forces in the foreseeable future.

The New York Times

Cautious business leaders could see that the scheme was going ahead, that the Tories had been heavily defeated - and that, for the foreseeable future, they would require to work with Labour.

BBC

The context surrounding the drafting of this clause clearly contemplated a foreseeable threat to good order: the danger that Southern insurrectionists, defeated in Civil War, might seek to frustrate the payment of America's national debt if and when they should be returned to Congress.

Huffington Post

It is a sign that Alexander, Labour's 2015 election campaign chairman, has no short-term plan to return to party politics, and his shock defeat to Mhairi Black has changed his career for the foreseeable future.

The Guardian

In general, I think it's not possible today, or anytime in the foreseeable future, to build a defense which provides reasonable confidence you can defeat a large-scale nuclear attack.

Huffington Post

Another backed for that four-Test series, starting in Durban on Boxing Day, is Jonny Bairstow, who Bayliss is keen to retain as wicketkeeper for the foreseeable future following the decision to drop Jos Buttler before England's 127-run defeat in Sharjah.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foreseeable defeat", ensure the context provides clear reasons or evidence for why the defeat is predictable. This strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "foreseeable defeat" when the outcome is merely possible or probable, not highly predictable. Overstating the predictability weakens your argument if the defeat doesn't occur as expected.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foreseeable defeat" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "foreseeable" modifies the noun "defeat". It describes a defeat that can be anticipated or predicted based on current circumstances. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foreseeable defeat" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a loss that can be anticipated based on existing conditions. Ludwig confirms its validity. Although relatively rare, it is found in diverse contexts like news and academic writing. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context provides clear support for the predictability of the defeat. Alternatives include "predictable loss" and "expected failure".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predictable loss

Focuses on the certainty of the loss, emphasizing predictability.

expected failure

Highlights the anticipation of failure as the primary element.

inevitable loss

Stresses the unavoidable nature of the loss.

anticipated defeat

Emphasizes the act of expecting the defeat beforehand.

certain downfall

Shifts the focus to a complete collapse or ruin that is assured.

assured failure

Highlights the guaranteed nature of the failure.

looming defeat

Conveys a sense of impending doom and unavoidable loss.

impending failure

Similar to 'looming defeat', but focuses on the imminence of failure.

projected loss

Uses 'projected' to indicate that the loss is based on current predictions or trends.

anticipated setback

Softens the impact by using 'setback' instead of 'defeat', suggesting a temporary hindrance.

FAQs

What does "foreseeable defeat" mean?

The term "foreseeable defeat" refers to a loss or failure that can be predicted or anticipated based on the current situation or available information. It suggests that the reasons for the likely failure are evident beforehand.

How can I use "foreseeable defeat" in a sentence?

You can use "foreseeable defeat" to describe situations where the outcome of a competition, negotiation, or other endeavor is likely to be a loss due to factors that are already apparent. For example: "The team faced a "foreseeable defeat" due to injuries to key players".

What are some synonyms for "foreseeable defeat"?

Alternatives to "foreseeable defeat" include "predictable loss", "expected failure", or "inevitable loss" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "foreseeable defeat" in formal writing?

Yes, "foreseeable defeat" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to describe a situation where a loss is anticipated. However, ensure the context supports the claim that the defeat is indeed predictable.