it was a foregone conclusion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was a foregone conclusion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something was certain to happen or was inevitable, often in contexts involving predictions or outcomes. Example: "Given the team's performance throughout the season, it was a foregone conclusion that they would win the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The paedophilia court-case arising from Mikhail Pletnev's alleged parallel life in Thailand has suddenly overshadowed his Western activities: when Britain's popular press got its claws into him, it was a foregone conclusion that he would be forced to withdraw from the Proms.

Independent

It was a foregone conclusion, but it hit home in its formality.

Los Angeles Times

For many, it was a foregone conclusion.

The Economist

IN THE end, it was a foregone conclusion.

The Economist

"It was a foregone conclusion that it was going to be O.K".

The New York Times

It was a foregone conclusion that he would be our commencement speaker.

The New Yorker

At Wimbledon it was a foregone conclusion that she would retain her title.

The New York Times - Magazine

Once Saddam Hussein was overthrown, it was a foregone conclusion that Sunni dominance of Iraq would end.

The New York Times - Magazine

He was dirty, him and Geoff Hurst, it was a foregone conclusion they'd have a kicking match.

The Guardian - Sport

"In January, it was a foregone conclusion that Roger would pass Pete, John McEnroee said in a recent telephone interview.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is a foregone conclusion that Honda will leave its US customers in the cold.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was a foregone conclusion" to emphasize that an outcome was so predictable that any other result would have been surprising. For example, "Given her talent and dedication, it was a foregone conclusion that she would excel in her field."

Common error

While "it was a foregone conclusion" is a useful idiom, avoid using it repeatedly in the same piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "inevitable", "certain", or "predetermined" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was a foregone conclusion" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where the outcome is so predictable that it's considered certain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. The phrase acts as a subject complement, providing information about the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was a foregone conclusion" is a common idiom used to express a high degree of certainty or inevitability about an outcome. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its proper usage in written English. The phrase is prevalent in news and media, but also appears in academic and other contexts. To avoid overuse, consider using synonyms like "inevitable" or "certain". Its function is to emphasize the predictability of a situation, and the register is generally neutral, making it appropriate for a wide range of writing styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It was a foregone conclusion

The same as "it was a foregone conclusion".

It was inevitable

Directly states that something was unavoidable.

It was a certainty

Emphasizes the lack of doubt surrounding the outcome.

It was bound to happen

Suggests that circumstances made the event unavoidable.

It was all but certain

Highlights the high degree of probability, bordering on certainty.

The outcome was predetermined

Highlights that the result was decided in advance.

It was a given

Implies that the event was so predictable it didn't need stating.

It was a done deal

Indicates that the arrangements were finalized and irreversible.

It was in the cards

Suggests fate or destiny played a role in the outcome.

The die was cast

Implies an irreversible decision has been made, making the result inevitable.

FAQs

How can I use "it was a foregone conclusion" in a sentence?

Use "it was a foregone conclusion" to express that an outcome was so predictable that it seemed certain. For example, "After the team's dominant performance, "it was a foregone conclusion" that they would win the championship".

What are some alternatives to "it was a foregone conclusion"?

You can use alternatives like "it was inevitable", "it was certain", or "it was predetermined" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it was a foregone conclusion" or "it seemed like a foregone conclusion"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but ""it was a foregone conclusion"" implies a higher degree of certainty. "It seemed like a foregone conclusion" suggests that while it appeared certain, there was still a slight possibility of a different outcome.

What does "it was a foregone conclusion" imply about the effort involved?

The phrase implies that the outcome was not necessarily due to lack of effort, but rather that the factors involved made a particular result almost unavoidable. The effort of the parties involved may not have mattered.