predict that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "predict that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an expectation or forecast about a future event or outcome. Example: "Experts predict that the economy will recover by the end of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Did we predict that?

The New York Times - Sports

"You can never predict that".

The New York Times - Sports

Did you predict that?

The Guardian - Sport

"It's pretty hard to predict that".

The New York Times

"But I can't predict that".

The New York Times

They predict that residential development will soon follow.

The New York Times

I predict that science will never know it all.

The Guardian - Books

It is hard to predict that decline, however.

The New York Times

Many experts predict that will not be enough.

The New York Times

Everyone joked, "I bet she didn't predict that".

The New York Times

We liked the player, but we didn't predict that".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "predict that" when you want to express a belief or expectation about a future event, based on some evidence or reasoning. For instance: "Analysts predict that the market will rebound soon."

Common error

Be cautious about using "predict that" when the situation is highly uncertain or unpredictable. It's better to use phrases like "it is possible that" or "it is likely that" to convey a sense of possibility rather than certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "predict that" functions as a verb phrase followed by a conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that expresses a prediction or forecast. It commonly introduces a statement about what someone believes will happen in the future. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "predict that" is a versatile expression used to convey expectations about future events. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It commonly appears in news articles, scientific reports, and business forecasts, demonstrating its applicability across diverse contexts. While it is suitable for expressing informed opinions, it's essential to avoid overconfidence and consider alternative phrasings like "expect that" or "anticipate that" when the situation is uncertain. Mastering the nuances of "predict that" allows for clear and effective communication about potential future scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forecast that

Implies a more formal or statistical prediction.

anticipate that

Suggests a proactive expectation, often based on prior knowledge.

expect that

Indicates a belief that something will happen, without necessarily having strong evidence.

foresee that

Implies a deeper insight or ability to see into the future.

project that

Often used in business or scientific contexts to indicate an estimated future value.

envisage that

Suggests a mental picture or visualization of a future event.

divine that

Implies using intuition or supernatural means to predict the future.

speculate that

Indicates a conjecture or educated guess.

estimate that

Suggests a rough calculation or approximation of a future outcome.

conjecture that

Suggests a tentative opinion based on incomplete information.

FAQs

How can I use "predict that" in a sentence?

You can use "predict that" to express an expectation about a future event or outcome. For example: "Experts "predict that" interest rates will rise next year."

What are some alternatives to "predict that"?

Alternatives include "forecast that", "anticipate that", or "expect that" depending on the context and level of certainty you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "predict that" and "project that"?

"Predict that" is a general term for foreseeing a future event, while "project that" often implies using data or models to estimate a future value or outcome, particularly in business or science.

When is it more appropriate to use "anticipate that" instead of "predict that"?

Use "anticipate that" when you are proactively expecting something based on prior knowledge or specific indicators, whereas "predict that" can be used more generally for any expectation about the future.