portends good things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "portends good things" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing predictions or signs that suggest positive outcomes in various contexts, such as events, situations, or trends. Example: "The recent increase in community engagement portends good things for the upcoming festival."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

"Henry V" is one of the finest Shakespeare productions from Mr. McAnuff that I've seen in my visits here, and Mr. Cimolino's "Cymbeline" portends good things for his stewardship of the all-important Shakespeare canon.

The New York Times

But Priest likes it because of its high (10%) free cash growth, which portends good things for the firm.

Forbes

And, this portends good things for democracy, as political ads are increasingly forced into an online arena of conversation.

TechCrunch

Trade King announced a merger with Zecco at the beginning of August 2012, and though the two firms will maintain separate channels for the time being, the merger portends good things for Trade King's future.

Forbes

Burbank Deputy City Manager Joy Forbes said the arrival of the retailers portends good things for the retail economy — and for city finances.

Los Angeles Times

The ongoing relationship with Rocky Mountain portends good things for other parks in the amusement park chain with aging wooden coasters like Six Flags Over Georgia (Great American Scream Machine and Georgia Cyclone), Six Flags St . Louis(Screamin' Eagle and Boss) and Six Flags Magic Mountain (Colossus).

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Experts who study the industry say the rapid rate at which China's tourism industry is evolving could portend good things to come.

The Economist

Yesterday the United Nations released its Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report, and it does not portend good things for planet Earth, especially the developing parts of the planet.

MIT Technology Review

If that's right, these deals do not portend good things, and will likely represent the end — or at least the beginning of the end — of a bull market.

The New York Times

Some contend that increasing dividends portend good things for the market overall.

Forbes

"The good news for Europe is its growing-seed stage activity; it should portend good things for the ecosystem as some of those companies mature".

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "portends good things" when you want to express that current events or signs suggest a positive future outcome. It adds a slightly formal and optimistic tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "portends good things" in very casual conversations. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in everyday speech. Opt for simpler alternatives like "looks promising" or "things are looking up".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "portends good things" functions as a predictive expression, indicating that current signs or events suggest positive outcomes in the future. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "portends good things" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that suggests current signs or events indicate a positive future. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's more commonly found in neutral and professional contexts like news and business, rather than casual conversation. Although less frequent than simpler alternatives, it serves as a strong, optimistic expression, with related phrases like "bodes well" and "augurs favorably" offering similar predictive qualities. When using it, be mindful of the context to avoid sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bodes well

Implies a positive prediction or expectation, similar to "portends good things".

augurs favorably

Suggests a positive omen or sign for the future, akin to "portends good things".

promises a bright future

Emphasizes the positive potential and optimistic outlook, similar to "portends good things".

indicates positive developments

Highlights that current signs suggest future improvements, synonymous with "portends good things".

suggests a favorable outcome

Focuses on the likelihood of a positive result, sharing the predictive aspect of "portends good things".

foreshadows positive events

Emphasizes the anticipation of beneficial occurrences, akin to "portends good things".

heralds positive prospects

Introduces the idea of promising opportunities on the horizon, related to "portends good things".

signals a promising future

Highlights that current signs point towards positive potential, similar to "portends good things".

is a harbinger of success

Indicates that current events are a precursor to future success, related to "portends good things".

points towards positive results

Suggests a clear direction towards favorable outcomes, akin to "portends good things".

FAQs

What does "portends good things" mean?

The phrase "portends good things" means that something is a sign or warning of positive events or outcomes that are likely to happen in the future. It suggests a favorable outlook based on current indications.

How can I use "portends good things" in a sentence?

You can use "portends good things" to describe situations where there are signs of a positive future. For example: "The company's strong growth in the first quarter "portends good things" for the rest of the year."

What are some alternatives to saying "portends good things"?

Some alternatives to "portends good things" include "bodes well", "augurs favorably", and "suggests a favorable outcome". These phrases convey a similar meaning of anticipating a positive future.

Is "portends good things" formal or informal?

"Portends good things" leans towards the formal side. While it's appropriate in many contexts, using simpler phrases like "looks promising" might be better in casual conversations.