it was foretold

USAGE SUMMARY

'it was foretold' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe something that has been predicted or mentioned in advance. For example: "The prophets foretold an age of great peace and harmony, but it was not to be - it was foretold, but never fulfilled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The day when it would be certain that American troops would leave Iraqi soil has been longed for by some and dreaded by others, but it was foretold almost three years ago.

The New York Times

It was foretold that Thalaba, a Muslim, would be God's champion and conquer the sorcerers.

Wikipedia

Simply put--because they know and understand that this is the Islamic caliphate as it was foretold by Prophet Muhammad himself.

Huffington Post

Before he leaves, however, it is discovered that Homer has a birthmark in the shape of the Stonecutter emblem, identifying him as the Chosen One who, it was foretold, would lead the Stonecutters to greatness.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

That moderate strength has caused many economists to question whether the drop in consumer confidence was simply a blip that is likely to reverse soon, or whether it was foretelling a sharp fall in spending later this year.

The New York Times

It is foretold / Prepare".

The New Yorker

So it is foretold.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As if it were foretold in stone, America is once more being carried forward by the seemingly intractable nature of human character.

The New York Times

I am not giving anything away if I mention Oscar's death — it is foretold in the book's title.

Los Angeles Times

It is foretold that Israel will enter into a binding covenant with a global peacemaker for a term of seven years.

WikiHow

As the bullet strikes Dhoorre in the forehead, YoungThing is certain that he hears a seabird cawing, only he cannot interpret what it is saying, or whether it is foretelling his own imminent death.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was foretold" when you want to convey a sense of inevitability or that something was known in advance through prophecy or prediction. It adds a touch of formality and weight to the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "it was foretold" in everyday conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or pretentious when a simpler phrase like "it was predicted" would suffice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was foretold" functions as a passive construction indicating that a prediction or prophecy was made about something. Ludwig AI confirms this is a grammatically correct construction and provides examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was foretold" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express that something was predicted or prophesied. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its usage is more common in formal contexts like news, media, and literature, lending a sense of inevitability to the subject. Consider more casual alternatives like "it was predicted" for everyday conversation. The phrase, while not overly frequent, carries a weight of predetermination and is best reserved for situations where you want to emphasize the prophetic nature of an event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was predicted

Focuses on prediction rather than a formal declaration of the future.

it was prophesied

Implies a divine or mystical element of foretelling.

it was anticipated

Suggests expectation rather than a firm declaration.

it was foreseen

Emphasizes the ability to see or know something in advance.

it was preordained

Highlights the idea of destiny or fate controlling events.

it was destined

Similar to preordained, but can also imply a natural course of events.

it was written in the stars

Idiomatic expression suggesting an inevitable outcome.

it was in the cards

Suggests that the outcome was inevitable or predetermined.

it was meant to be

Suggests a sense of inevitability or destiny.

the future held it

Shifts the focus to the future as containing the pre-determined outcome.

FAQs

What does "it was foretold" mean?

The phrase "it was foretold" means that something was predicted or known in advance, often through prophecy or some form of divination.

What can I say instead of "it was foretold"?

You can use alternatives like "it was predicted", "it was prophesied", or "it was anticipated" depending on the context.

How do you use "it was foretold" in a sentence?

You can use "it was foretold" to indicate that an event or outcome was known in advance, such as "It was foretold that a great leader would rise to unite the people".

Is "it was foretold" formal or informal?

"It was foretold" is generally considered a formal phrase, often used in literature, historical accounts, or religious contexts. Simpler alternatives might be more appropriate in informal settings.