foreseen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foreseen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that has been anticipated or predicted in the future. Example: "The challenges we faced were not entirely foreseen, but we managed to adapt quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some counter by asking what police force could have foreseen such horrors.

The Guardian

With the fixture list ahead of them looming large, the current predicament should have been foreseen.

The Guardian - Sport

President Petro Poroshenko has endorsed a referendum on the federalisation of Ukraine, jumpstarting the reforms foreseen by the peace plan to end the conflict with Russia-backed rebels in the country's east.

The Guardian

"It's something that had to be done, hence, we had foreseen it.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr Mandela, who had set so much store by strengthening the ANC, a small and weak organisation when he joined it, might have foreseen that.But without him the transition to majority rule would almost certainly have been a bloody shambles.

The Economist

The policy was a great success, but it made Iran much more vulnerable when sanctions hit home.The government might have foreseen this.

The Economist

In some ways this revolution has brought about the "death of distance" foreseen by Frances Cairncross (a former journalist at The Economist).

The Economist

None of this could have been remotely foreseen those short 18 years ago.A bit longer ago, in the late 1960s, a young American boy came to a jarring realisation.

The Economist

So far, so foreseen.

The Economist

But the admiral cannot have foreseen the astonishing sequence of budget negotiations that have paralysed Congress this past year.

The Economist

He had quickly been proved right.Colonel Ojukwu, too, had foreseen the likelihood of bust-up.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foreseen" to denote events or outcomes that were anticipated or predicted with a degree of accuracy. It's especially useful when discussing planning, risk management, or historical analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "foreseen" when simply describing something observed. "Foreseen" implies anticipation or prediction, not just visual perception. For example, say "I saw the accident" not "I had foreseen the accident" if you are just describing what you saw.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "foreseen" is as a past participle of the verb 'foresee'. Ludwig AI confirms it is often part of perfect tenses or passive constructions to indicate something that was anticipated or predicted. For example, 'The crisis should have been foreseen'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foreseen" is the past participle of the verb 'foresee', used to describe something that was anticipated or predicted. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It's a versatile term, frequently found in news and media, formal business writing, and scientific contexts. While its usage is widespread, remember to use it to indicate anticipation or prediction, not simple observation. Alternatives include "anticipated", "predicted", and "expected", each carrying slight nuances. By avoiding common errors, like misusing it as a synonym for "seen", you can effectively enhance the clarity and precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

anticipated

Shares the core meaning of expecting something to happen, but focuses more on preparing for it.

predicted

Emphasizes the act of foretelling based on observation or calculation, implying a degree of certainty.

expected

Implies a reasonable belief that something will occur, often based on past experience or evidence.

envisioned

Focuses on imagining a future scenario, often with a creative or aspirational element.

forecasted

Specifically related to predicting weather or economic trends.

foretold

Suggests a more mystical or prophetic prediction, often associated with fate or destiny.

presaged

Indicates an event that foreshadows or signals a future occurrence, often negative.

contemplated

Suggests a careful consideration of possible future events or outcomes.

foreknown

Implies prior knowledge of an event, often through supernatural or insightful means.

forewarned

Highlights the act of giving advance notice of a potential danger or problem.

FAQs

How is "foreseen" used in a sentence?

The word "foreseen" is used to describe something that was anticipated or predicted before it happened. For example, "The consequences of the policy change were not fully foreseen."

What are some alternatives to using "foreseen"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "anticipated", "predicted", or "expected".

What does it mean when something is described as "unforeseen"?

If something is "unforeseen", it means that it was not anticipated or predicted and came as a surprise. It often implies a lack of preparation or planning.

Is it correct to use "foreseen" in the present tense?

No, "foreseen" is the past participle of "foresee" and is typically used in the past or perfect tenses. Use "foresee" for the present tense, such as "We do not foresee any problems."