foreseeably

USAGE SUMMARY

"foreseeably" is a word and a perfectly acceptable one to use in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that can be seen or known in advance from the present situation, or that is likely to happen in the near future. For example: "The company's profits are foreseeably going to increase significantly in the next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

The House of Representatives requirements for disclosing family members' interests state that incomes, savings accounts, liabilities, directorships and shares must be declared, and adds that "any other interests where a conflict of interest with a Member's public duties could foreseeably arise or be seen to arise".

The Guardian

The word has always been unhelpful, for it misses how foreseeably Mr Kim's Communist dynasty has blackmailed the outside world, defying the odds and the end of the cold war to cling to power.

The Economist

Yes, "Hail, Caesar!" is superb, and it was foreseeably so.

The New Yorker

This was a highly significant step that has the effect of shifting the burden of proof from the government to the prisoner – not only in the Guantánamo context but, foreseeably, in other document-dependent cases as well.

The New York Times

In its decision on Friday, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that "an omission or defect in the labeling for the brand-name drug would necessarily be repeated in the generic labeling, foreseeably causing harm to a patient who ingested the generic product".

The New York Times

Reporting of these operations, which could foreseeably lead to situations where a public disclosure would be in the public interest, could land journalists and whistleblowers in jail.

The Guardian - Opinion

If the fact-finding is foreseeably bleak, sometimes the resulting songs don't quite gel, either: witness the lead single The Wheel, a great rock song bedevilled by impressionistic, too-open-ended lines that don't lend themselves to conventional scansion.

The Guardian - Music

What happens if their condition subsequently worsens, possibly foreseeably, as a result of being turned away?" he asked, adding: "ID checks are likely to create delays in clinics and elsewhere as ID is checked and queries resolved".

The Guardian

He needs to come up with a clear statement of how military action in Syria will be proportionate, legally sound and, above all, foreseeably finite.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is some ambiguity baked in as to whether it will be the OPCW's Executive Council who has to determine that Syria is in non-compliance or if its Director-General could do so unilaterally, or if the Council could decide so on its own based on the numerous items that Syria could foreseeably be in violation of.

The Guardian

Despite this, he has not listed his involvement with the congress in the parliamentary register of members' interests, which requires declaration of "membership of any organisation where a conflict of interest with a member's public duties could foreseeably arise or be seen to arise".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "foreseeably" with verbs like "lead", "result", or "cause" to illustrate a direct and anticipated sequence of events. For example, "The policy change could foreseeably lead to increased customer complaints."

Common error

Avoid using "foreseeably" when the outcome is highly uncertain or speculative. Misusing the word can undermine the validity of your argument by suggesting unwarranted certainty.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "foreseeably" functions to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating that an event or outcome can be anticipated or predicted. Ludwig AI confirms its standard use in expressing predictability based on the circumstances. The examples show that it is used to modify the likelihood of an event.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foreseeably" is an adverb used to indicate that something can be anticipated or predicted, as verified by Ludwig AI. It functions to modify verbs and convey a sense of predictability. It is appropriate for formal, neutral and professional contexts. Common alternatives include "predictably", "anticipatedly", and "expectantly". Remember to use it when the outcome is reasonably predictable, avoiding overstatement when uncertainty prevails. With a high expert rating and a common usage, incorporating "foreseeably" correctly can add precision and credibility to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

predictably

Indicates that something is expected to happen in the way that someone expects.

as could be foreseen

Focuses on the ability to see an outcome in advance.

anticipatedly

Highlights the act of looking forward to something that's likely to happen.

expectantly

Suggests an attitude of hopeful anticipation regarding a future event.

in all likelihood

Expresses a strong probability that something will occur.

as might be expected

Indicates that an event is not surprising, fitting with prior expectations.

in anticipation

Emphasizes acting or preparing in advance of an expected event.

by all accounts

Refers to something considered a probable fact based on available information.

apparently

Relies on the information known but does not imply certainty about future outcomes.

presumably

Implies something is likely based on assumptions but without concrete evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "foreseeably" in a sentence?

"Foreseeably" is used to indicate that something can be anticipated or predicted based on the circumstances. For example, "The budget cuts will "foreseeably lead to" staff reductions".

What are some alternatives to "foreseeably"?

You can use alternatives such as "predictably", "anticipatedly", or "expectantly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "foreseeably" in formal writing?

Yes, "foreseeably" is appropriate for formal writing. It adds precision when describing anticipated outcomes based on available information. Its usage is showcased in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

What's the difference between "foreseeably" and "possibly"?

"Foreseeably" implies a reasonable expectation based on current conditions, while "possibly" suggests a chance or potential outcome without a strong basis. Using "foreseeably" indicates a higher degree of certainty than using "possibly".