is not foreseeable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not foreseeable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing events or outcomes that cannot be predicted or anticipated. Example: "The impact of the new policy on the economy is not foreseeable at this time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Rapidly rising consumption is not foreseeable in the US, but it is already happening where production is booming: China, India, Brazil, Russia, parts of Europe (especially Germany).

The Guardian - Opinion

"If there is no real solution by Sunday this week, it is not foreseeable what the next step will be," he told Austrian radio.

The Guardian

If the need for leave is not foreseeable and the employee is unable, due to circumstances beyond his or her control, to provide notice of his or her need for leave, the leave may not be delayed or denied.

Cornell University

Although a full fledged recovery of the housing market is not foreseeable, it is still highly likely that prices for shelter will increase at a much higher rate in 2013 than the 0.4% increase observed during 2010.

The Economist

The company has since said that it is not "foreseeable" that such sales will be necessary, but more investors sold shares on the rumor than bought them on the denial.

The New York Times

One also should not discount another salient fact: Such disruptive reform of the health-care system would require a national consensus to dramatically expand the government that is not foreseeable even under a hypothetical Sanders presidency.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

However, in that case the issue of foreseeability went to the jury, and the jury found the injury was not foreseeable; on appeal, the court reviewed the sufficiency of the evidence to support the jury's finding.

Harvard University

"But it's not foreseeable".

The New York Times

We hold that defendants did not prove, as a matter of law, that Henry's injury was not foreseeable.

Harvard University

Myers argued the dangers of a crush in the pens was not foreseeable, even by more experienced Hillsborough officers.

The Guardian

Defendants next argue that, as a matter of law, Henry's injuries were not foreseeable, and therefore defendants' alleged negligent acts did not proximately cause Henry's injuries.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not foreseeable" when you want to express that an event or outcome is impossible to predict based on the available information. It suggests a genuine lack of predictability, not just uncertainty.

Common error

Avoid using "is not foreseeable" when you simply mean something is uncertain. "Uncertain" or "difficult to predict" might be more appropriate if some possibility exists, but prediction is challenging. "Is not foreseeable" suggests impossibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not foreseeable" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a future event or outcome cannot be predicted or anticipated based on current knowledge or circumstances. Ludwig provides numerous examples of its use in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

29%

Science

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is not foreseeable" is a phrase used to express the impossibility of predicting a future event. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's grammatically correct and appears mostly in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While suitable for formal communication, it's essential to differentiate it from simple uncertainty. Alternatives like "cannot be predicted" or "is not predictable" may be more fitting when some level of prediction is still possible. The phrase's power lies in its emphasis on genuine unpredictability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot be predicted

Emphasizes the inability to predict something.

is not predictable

Highlights the lack of predictability.

cannot be anticipated

Focuses on the inability to foresee or expect something.

is not anticipated

Highlights that what is not anticipated is unexpected

cannot be envisioned

Emphasizes the inability to imagine or visualize something happening.

is unexpectable

Highlights that what is unexpectable cannot be wait

is not in the cards

Suggests that something is not destined to happen.

is beyond the realm of possibility

Indicates something is highly unlikely or impossible.

lies outside the bounds of expectation

Implies that something is completely unexpected.

is not on the horizon

Suggests something is not likely to happen in the near future.

FAQs

How can I use "is not foreseeable" in a sentence?

You can use "is not foreseeable" to describe events or outcomes that are impossible to predict. For example: "The long-term effects of the policy "is not foreseeable"."

What are some alternatives to "is not foreseeable"?

Alternatives include "cannot be predicted", "is not predictable", or "cannot be anticipated". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "is not foreseeable" or "is unpredictable"?

"Is not foreseeable" suggests a complete inability to predict, while "is unpredictable" implies difficulty in predicting but not necessarily impossibility. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

In what contexts is "is not foreseeable" most appropriate?

"Is not foreseeable" is suitable in formal and technical contexts such as legal, scientific, or economic discussions, where precise language is essential. It's also appropriate when emphasizing the genuine impossibility of prediction.