predicting

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "predicting" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to make a statement about what will happen in the future based on current evidence or knowledge. Example: The weather forecast for tomorrow is predicting a 70% chance of rain.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He told the audience that analysts were already predicting that large scale solar power would be "cheaper than coal in China and India within the next five to ten years" and that wind energy was already "at parity with new coal in India".

The Guardian

Policymakers and politicians usually embrace this "political blackness" when addressing ethnic minority communities, but it makes as little sense when it comes to predicting voting as it does in other areas of life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Israeli analysts were torn over the impact the Fifa corruption scandal might have on an eventual vote, with some predicting that delegates might want to avoid further controversy in an already fraught congress.

The Guardian

Predicting events inside this large and secretive clan is notoriously difficult and often described as a sort of Arabian version of Cold War-era Kremlinology.

The Guardian

Varoufakis also said it would be "catastrophic" if Greece left the euro, predicting it would be "the beginning of the end of the common currency project".

The Guardian

Four self-published authors will have a total of seven novels on the New York Times ebook bestseller list this weekend, and the founder of self-publishing powerhouse Smashwords is predicting the number is only going to grow.

The Guardian - Books

The variation involved means that accurately predicting which voices will be best for a particular job, independent of age, gender and ethnicity, means pinpointing the right combinations of vocal features.

The Guardian

Labour was predicting that when all the final results are assembled it will have polled 25.7% and the Tories 24.5%, but Labour was dependent on a very strong showing in the capital against the Conservatives to ensure it pushed the governing party into third place.

The Guardian

By contrast, if wages were to grow in line with their historical average rather than their current forecasts over the next parliament, tax receipts would be almost £12bn higher than the Office for Budget Responsibility is predicting.

The Guardian

Related: 100 days of solitude: Syriza struggles as Greeks once again stare into the abyss The warnings came as the European commission slashed its forecast for Greece's growth rate this year, predicting the economy would expand by a mere 0.5%, compared with the 2.5% it had projected barely three months ago.

The Guardian

The bowling always seems to be of less concern while Australia boasts such varied pace options, though it would be a brave gambler who staked anything on predicting Nathan Lyon's understudy.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "predicting", ensure that the prediction is based on some form of evidence or analysis, rather than pure speculation. Provide context to enhance credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting "predicting" as absolute fact. Use qualifiers such as "likely", "expected", or "potential" to indicate the inherent uncertainty in forecasting.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "predicting" is as a present participle used in continuous verb tenses (e.g., "is predicting") or as a gerund, functioning as a noun (e.g., "Predicting the future"). Ludwig confirms the accuracy of this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "predicting" functions as a present participle or gerund to denote forecasting future events, often based on analysis or trends. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, with high frequency across various sources, particularly news and media. While the term is neutral, remember to avoid overstating certainty and provide context when possible. By using this guide, you can enhance your clarity and credibility when incorporating "predicting" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forecasting

Focuses more on using data and models to project future outcomes.

anticipating

Emphasizes expecting something to happen, often based on prior knowledge.

projecting

Highlights the act of extending current trends into the future.

foretelling

Implies predicting through supernatural or intuitive means.

estimating

Involves making an approximate calculation or judgment about the future.

guessing

Suggests a less informed or accurate form of prediction.

expecting

Focuses on a belief that something will happen.

envisaging

Highlights visualizing or imagining a future scenario.

speculating

Implies making conjectures about the future without firm evidence.

conjecturing

Suggests forming an opinion or supposition about something on the basis of incomplete information.

FAQs

How to use "predicting" in a sentence?

You can use "predicting" to describe the action of forecasting future events, such as "Economists are "predicting a recession"" or "The model is "predicting climate change"".

What can I say instead of "predicting"?

You can use alternatives like "forecasting", "anticipating", or "projecting" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "predicting" or "to predict"?

"Predicting" is the present participle or gerund form, while "to predict" is the infinitive form. The choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. For example, "Predicting the future is difficult" versus "It is difficult "to predict" the future".

What's the difference between "predicting" and "expecting"?

"Predicting" often involves some form of analysis or evidence, while "expecting" typically implies a belief or anticipation without necessarily having concrete evidence. For instance, "scientists are "predicting a major earthquake"" versus "I'm "expecting a phone call"".