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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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foreshadow

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'foreshadow' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the word foreshadow when you want to suggest that something is going to happen, or that certain events may have consequences in the future. Example sentence: "The deepening storm clouds foreshadowed the impending snowfall."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nor is there a single issuer of sovereign debt to match the size and liquidity of the market for US Treasuries although the bonds issued by the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF), the euro area's emergency bail-out fund, may foreshadow a single euro bond backed by all its members.

News & Media

The Economist

The deal may foreshadow alliances with four other European law firms to create a pan-European legal juggernaut, handily placed to grab a share of burgeoning cross-border merger business.Tomkins, a British conglomerate, said it would sell its Rank Hovis McDougall food division to Doughty Hanson, a British investment group, for £1.1 billion ($1.7 billion).

News & Media

The Economist

In "Advantage" he argues that America's "unipolar moment" in the global economy may be over, but Asia's rise does not necessarily foreshadow America's decline.One reason for this is that innovation is not a zero-sum game.

News & Media

The Economist

As asset prices fall, people spend less and investors foreshadow lower profits and higher defaults by running from corporate bonds and shares.

News & Media

The Economist

She thus faces little pressure to compromise, and this week's confrontation may foreshadow many more.

News & Media

The Economist

And, of course, images of the infant in Mary's arms foreshadow the Pietà, Mary cradling Christ's body after the crucifixion.This is a life drenched in symbolism.

News & Media

The Economist

Both factors apply to Brazil, which under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has sought a more powerful role as a regional power of global significance (see article).The diversification of Latin America's economic ties has raised in some minds a nagging question: does it foreshadow geopolitical changes?

News & Media

The Economist

A vote in Maryland to grant in-state college-tuition rates to illegal immigrants may foreshadow an attempt by Mr Obama to fix America's rickety immigration system.

News & Media

The Economist

Thuringians fret less about him than about the stability of a government that would have only a one-seat majority.The overarching question is whether a red-red-green government in Thuringia could foreshadow a similar experiment in the Bundestag (albeit with an SPD chancellor).

News & Media

The Economist

This was not so much because the experiments seemed bad, but because constitutional change implied that an earthly ruler could tinker with systems that had been divinely ordained.The modernising challenges facing the late Ottoman era dimly foreshadow, as Mr Feldman demonstrates, some of the problems of modern political Islam.

News & Media

The Economist

Despite finishing near the bottom in attendance and revenues every year, Mr Friedman's teams took home one American League title, made four playoff appearances and won an impressive 55% of their regular-season games from 2008-14.If you believe in the "Moneyball -inspired Great GMoneyball -inspiredl, Mr Friedman's move should foreshadow the apocalypse for competitive balance in the sport.

News & Media

The Economist
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foreshadow" to subtly hint at future events in your narrative, creating anticipation and intrigue for the reader.

Common error

Avoid having characters explicitly state what the future holds. A heavy-handed use of "foreshadow" can make the narrative feel contrived and predictable. Instead, rely on subtle cues and atmospheric details.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "foreshadow" is as a transitive verb. It describes the action of hinting at or suggesting future events, outcomes, or plot points. Ludwig confirms this usage pattern through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foreshadow" functions as a transitive verb used to hint at future events, creating anticipation and suspense. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and its usage is very common across various contexts such as news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While versatile, it is best used to create subtle hints rather than explicit predictions, avoiding overuse in dialogue. Alternatives like "portend" or "presage" can be used for a more formal or literary tone.

FAQs

How to use "foreshadow" in a sentence?

Use "foreshadow" to suggest or hint at events that will occur later in a story or situation. For example, "The dark clouds foreshadowed the storm."

What can I say instead of "foreshadow"?

You can use alternatives like "portend", "presage", or "indicate" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "foreshadow" or "shadow"?

"Foreshadow" specifically means to give a hint or suggestion of something that will happen in the future, especially in a literary work. "Shadow", on the other hand, refers to a dark area or shape produced by an object blocking light.

What's the difference between "foreshadow" and "predict"?

"Foreshadow" implies a subtle hint or suggestion, while "predict" is a more direct and explicit statement about what will happen in the future.

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Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: