it was foreseeable that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was foreseeable that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing events or outcomes that could have been predicted based on available information or circumstances. Example: "Given the weather conditions, it was foreseeable that the event would be postponed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It was constituted in 1998, when it was foreseeable that the CECL would soon be bringing its work to a conclusion and would wind itself up.

Columbia University

"It was foreseeable that the European Parliament would refuse," Martin Schulz, the president of the legislature, said at a news conference shortly after the vote.

The New York Times

The Human Rights Law Centre told the inquiry it was "foreseeable" that the information sharing would lead to the individuals facing execution.

The Guardian

The United States contends that police will have to pause in the field and consider if a reviewing court will find it was "foreseeable" that the police created the exigent circumstances.

Cornell University

Perhaps it was foreseeable that Oakland, which entered the weekend with 20 more penalties and nearly 100 more penalty yards than any other team, would earn plenty of flags.

The Washington Post

Given that fake comments were filed in the last net neutrality proceeding, it was foreseeable that Democratic leadership's use of 'comment counting' as a major talking point in the current proceeding would drive more fake filings — nearly 6 million more according to an analysis performed by the National Legal and Policy Center.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Due to its functional impact on transcription, it is foreseeable that histone methylation may participate in the regulation of pluripotent states by modulating the expression of pluripotency factors.

Cell Research

For all intents and purposes, it is foreseeable that Iran will use the issue to wage its own media war.

Huffington Post

It is foreseeable that, driven by environmental legislation, lightweight products will gain much wider applications in the near future.

Physical Metallurgy

With the rapid growth in the aging population in Hong Kong, it is foreseeable that every flat unit will accommodate one senior citizen.

Cities

Further, Dr. Dingus stated that, absent an appropriate warning, it is foreseeable that a reasonable parent would not perceive that marshmallows present a danger to small children.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was foreseeable that" to emphasize that an outcome was predictable given the circumstances, implying a level of responsibility or negligence if preventive measures were not taken.

Common error

Avoid using "it was foreseeable that" merely in hindsight without demonstrating that the information to predict the outcome was genuinely available beforehand. Ensure there was a reasonable basis for anticipation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was foreseeable that" functions as a declarative statement indicating that a particular outcome or event could have been reasonably anticipated. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in diverse fields such as law, business, and general news reporting.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

36%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was foreseeable that" is used to indicate that a particular event or outcome could have been reasonably anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and well-suited for expressing predictability, particularly in formal and scientific contexts. It is commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Academia, often implying a degree of responsibility or negligence if the foreseeable outcome was not properly addressed. When using this phrase, ensure that there was indeed a reasonable basis for predicting the event and avoid overusing it merely in hindsight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was predictable that

Emphasizes that the event was logically expected based on prior knowledge.

it was anticipated that

Suggests advance preparation or expectation regarding the event.

it was expected that

Indicates a common belief or anticipation of the event.

it was reasonable to assume that

Highlights the logical justification for expecting the event.

it was discernible that

Implies the event was noticeable or detectable beforehand.

it was clear that

Focuses on the obviousness or lack of ambiguity surrounding the event's likelihood.

it could have been foreseen that

Highlights the possibility of predicting the event, often implying a failure to do so.

it was bound to happen that

Suggests the event was inevitable or unavoidable.

it was a foregone conclusion that

Emphasizes the certainty and lack of surprise surrounding the event.

it was inevitable that

Focuses on the unavoidable nature of the event.

FAQs

What does "it was foreseeable that" mean?

The phrase "it was foreseeable that" indicates that a particular outcome or event could have been reasonably anticipated or predicted based on the circumstances or information available at the time.

How can I use "it was foreseeable that" in a sentence?

You can use "it was foreseeable that" to express that an outcome was predictable. For example: "Given the lack of safety precautions, "it was foreseeable that" an accident would occur."

What are some alternatives to "it was foreseeable that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it was predictable that", "it was anticipated that", or "it was expected that". These phrases convey a similar sense of predictability.

Is "it was foreseeable that" formal or informal?

The phrase "it was foreseeable that" is generally considered neutral to formal in tone and is appropriate for use in professional, academic, and legal contexts.