predictable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "predictable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that behaves in the same way or follows a certain pattern. Example sentence: The weather in this region is very predictable; it's sunny almost every day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since most of the flaws with these policies were both predictable and predicted it is disingenuous to dismiss this as merely reflecting the mindset of a different time.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have sympathy for Labour people who urged Miliband to confront the Tory narrative: I experienced his rebuffing myself No one can say this wasn't predictable and indeed predicted.

The Guardian - Opinion

So far, so predictable.

The Guardian - Tech

I'm aware this was a boringly predictable location in which to feel the spine-shiver of something beyond words (transcendent? divine?).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He described the results as predictable for unbiased observers of Moscow's court proceedings.

The Guardian - Business

Labour is saying there should be fixed three-year tenancies, with predictable rent increases.

The Guardian

When Latinos in the US say they'll miss Sábado Gigante, they sometimes mean they'll miss the way that it allowed them to connect with other Latinos, and the anxiety over losing the bond that only Sábado Gigante makes possible – and made possible for so long – is predictable.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was predictable that last week's House of Lords report on the constitutional implications of a yes vote in the Scottish referendum was brushed aside by David Cameron during his latest Scottish visit and simultaneously trashed by the Scottish nationalists.

The Guardian

When the Securities and Exchange Commission puts the heat on a bank or hedge fund for doing something inappropriate, the negotiations follow a predictable dance.

The Guardian - Opinion

The WWF/ANU report contends that Australia is well placed to make an orderly and low-cost transition to decarbonisation if the government can send clear and predictable policy and regulatory signals to the market, and resist special pleading from the owners of carbon intensive assets.

The Guardian

Even the more self-loving members of the national team have loved themselves in a boring way, their self-regard a routine exercise in predictable, managed PR.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing trends or patterns, use "predictable" to emphasize the consistency and expected nature of the outcomes. For instance, "The company's revenue growth has been predictable over the past five years".

Common error

While "predictable" is useful for highlighting consistency, avoid overusing it when describing complex systems or scenarios with multiple variables. Overusing it might oversimplify the inherent uncertainties. Instead, opt for more nuanced terms such as "projected" or "estimated" to convey the complexities involved.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "predictable" primarily functions to describe nouns by indicating their capacity to be anticipated or foreseen. Ludwig AI confirms that its use aligns with standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "predictable" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe something that can be easily foreseen or anticipated. Ludwig AI confirms its adherence to standard English grammar. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, as shown by Ludwig examples, "predictable" serves to convey the expected nature of events, behaviors, or outcomes. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider nuanced alternatives when describing complex systems. When you aim to show anticipation of future results it is always appropriate to use this word.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foreseeable

Implies the ability to see or know something in advance; similar to "predictable" but emphasizes anticipation.

expected

Suggests something that is likely to happen or is anticipated, closely aligning with the meaning of "predictable".

anticipated

Indicates something that is looked forward to or expected, similar to "predictable" but with a focus on anticipation.

as expected

This phrase explicitly states that something happened in accordance with prior expectations.

inevitable

Implies that something is unavoidable and certain to happen, carrying a stronger sense of certainty than "predictable".

according to expectations

This alternative highlights that the result aligns with what was anticipated or believed to be true.

certain

Indicates something that is sure to happen or be true, emphasizing the lack of doubt.

easily anticipated

This emphasizes how simple it was to foresee or expect a certain outcome.

likely

Suggests a high probability of occurrence, conveying a sense of expectation similar to "predictable".

runs like clockwork

This phrase describes things that occur in a punctual way or at regular intervals.

FAQs

How can I use "predictable" in a sentence?

You can use "predictable" to describe events, behaviors, or outcomes that are easily foreseen or expected. For example, "The plot of the movie was quite predictable" or "His reaction was predictable, given his past behavior".

What are some alternatives to using "predictable"?

Alternatives to "predictable" include "foreseeable", "expected", or "anticipated" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "predictable" and "inevitable"?

"Predictable" implies that something can be foreseen based on available information or patterns, while "inevitable" suggests that something is certain to happen and cannot be avoided, regardless of predictions.

Is it better to say "highly predictable" or "very predictable"?

Both "highly predictable" and "very predictable" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. The choice often comes down to personal preference or the specific tone you want to convey.