predestined

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "predestined" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the concept of fate or destiny, particularly in philosophical, religious, or literary contexts. Example: "Many believe that our lives are predestined, shaped by forces beyond our control."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One notion (associated with Semi-Pelagianism, some forms of nominalism, and Arminianism) makes foreknowledge the ground of predestination and teaches that God predestined to salvation those whose future faith and merits he foreknew.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Others, especially Calvinists, emphasizing God's sovereignty and initiative, taught "double predestination," which asserted that God predestined some people to be saved and others to be damned.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Gregory reacted by charging that both the theory of the privative cause and the notion of the positive cause of predestination in those who are predestined are Pelagian.

SEP

Astrologers who pretend to read our fates from the stars can be answered with a quip from Epicurus: if all that comes to pass is predestined, so is the belief in predestination, and we therefore have no reason to think it true (Philokalia 25.4).

SEP

Weber rejected this idea, claiming that Protestantism triggered capitalism: the Calvinist idea of predestination led individuals to try to prove, by amassing capital, that they were predestined for heaven (see Calvinism).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The violence is not predestined to worsen, despite the setbacks of the past month.

The Economist

In urban Europe, there is nothing predestined about the clash of civilisations.

The Economist

The authors are sceptical for the most part, plausibly of claims that the growth rates of economies are largely predestined by culture or geography, as books such as "The Wealth and Poverty of Nations" by David Landes or Jared Diamond's "Guns, Germs and Steel" suggest.

The Economist

The same is probably true of books and airline tickets.Niche work if you can get itBig firms are not predestined to hoover up all the benefits from e-commerce.

The Economist

And Thailand's relatively poor performance is not the result of a somehow predestined middle-income trap.

The Economist

A country's place in the global economy seems neither predestined nor predictable.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "predestined", ensure the context clearly establishes who or what is doing the predestining, whether it's a deity, fate, or a set of circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "predestined" in everyday situations where simpler words like "planned" or "expected" would suffice. Overusing it can sound overly dramatic or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "predestined" is as the past participle of the verb 'predestine'. It is often used adjectivally to describe something whose course has been determined in advance. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in discussing philosophical and theological concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

30%

News & Media

28%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "predestined" functions as the past participle of 'predestine', often used adjectivally to indicate a predetermined course of events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use. Its primary contexts are encyclopedias, news, and science, with a register ranging from neutral to formal. When employing "predestined", ensure the source of predetermination is clear and avoid overuse in mundane situations. Related phrases include "foreordained" and "fated", offering nuanced alternatives for expressing predetermined outcomes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foreordained

Indicates a prior determination, often by a divine power, making it more formal than "predestined".

preordained

Similar to foreordained, suggesting a divine or higher power has already decided the course of events.

ordained

Similar to "foreordained" but often used in a religious context to suggest divine authorization.

predetermined

Highlights that something was decided or established in advance.

fated

Implies that events are determined by fate, suggesting a sense of inevitability.

destined

Suggests a predetermined course or outcome, often with a sense of purpose or importance.

meant to be

Indicates a belief that an event was intended or inevitable, often used in romantic contexts.

inevitable

Emphasizes the certainty of an event occurring, regardless of attempts to prevent it.

foretold

Suggests that the future event was predicted or prophesied.

written in the stars

Suggests that an event is determined by astrological forces, implying a lack of control.

FAQs

How can I use "predestined" in a sentence?

You can use "predestined" to indicate that an event or outcome was determined in advance by fate or a divine power. For example, "Some believe our paths are "predestined"."

What are some alternatives to using "predestined"?

Alternatives to "predestined" include "foreordained", "preordained", or "fated", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "predestined" in a formal context?

Yes, "predestined" can be used in formal contexts, particularly when discussing philosophical or theological concepts of fate and destiny.

What's the difference between "predestined" and "destined"?

"Predestined" implies a prior decision or decree that determines an outcome, while "destined" simply suggests a predetermined future, without necessarily implying a decision-maker. For example, you can say “He was "destined" for greatness” meaning he was likely to achieve it. “He was "predestined" for greatness” means someone (like God or fate) had decided that was his outcome.