prophecy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prophecy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a prediction or foretelling of future events, often in a religious or mystical context. Example: "The ancient text contained a prophecy about the rise of a great leader who would unite the kingdoms."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There was also much wit in Bartlett's use of a parodic iambic pentameter and in the tissue of references to Shakespeare's plays: to Richard II in the image of deposition, to both parts of Henry IV in the portrait of a rogue Prince Harry rejoicing in, and ultimately rejecting, low life and even to Hamlet in the idea of Diana's ghost as an instrument of prophecy.

The Guardian

The arc of his involvement with what is now the world's most menacing terrorist group mirrors many others who now hold senior positions in the group: first a battle against an invading army, then a score to be settled with an ancient sectarian foe, and now, a war that could be acting out an end of days prophecy.

The Guardian

All that does is – it's a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The Guardian

Over a chintzy soundtrack, the voiceover to one recounted: "They decide to shun social media prophecy and return to musical naturism – just the two of them and some instruments and actual live contact with real people, in the form of intimate gigs in dirty places".

The Guardian - Music

Though I remember it as being funny, the old stationmaster's prophecy ("Some nights, the signal bell rings and the train comes a-screaming and a-tearing through"), not to mention the sound and light effects that accompanied it, were absolutely terrifying.

The Guardian

Still maddened by the werewolf-shaped bullet prophecy, Mitchell cuts his own arm to try forcing him to feed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Fitzgerald's absurd prophecy was that America would face a great "national testing" in the very near future: "The idea that we're the greatest people in the world because we have the most money in the world is ridiculous.

The Guardian - Books

If you're going to say we're all doomed and there's no point in doing anything, you become part of the problem and create a self-fulfilling prophecy, and are no longer basically of any use to humanity because you've just said this is how it's going to be and have now disempowered yourself.

The Guardian

Though his prophecy of the failure of the punishment-oriented system of mainly Conservative postwar governments was repeatedly borne out, he never managed to translate his vision into workable reform.

The Guardian

It is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The Guardian

In Istanbul he placed in a cradle a fish dressed in infant's clothing, dramatising a prophecy that the messiah would be born under the sign of Pisces.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing "prophecy" in contexts where simpler terms like "prediction" or "forecast" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse a "self-fulfilling prophecy" with a simple prediction. A self-fulfilling prophecy is a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true, due to the very terms of the prophecy itself, due to people's behavior.

Linguistic Context

The word "prophecy" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a prediction or a foretelling of future events. As Ludwig AI underlines, its usage spans across various domains, including religious, historical, and even contemporary contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "prophecy" is a noun that denotes a prediction, often associated with a divine or authoritative source. Ludwig AI indicates its frequent use across diverse contexts, from news reporting to religious texts, with usage patterns favoring news, business, and scientific domains. While grammatically sound, writers should understand the subtle differences between "prophecy" and related terms like ""prediction"" or ""forecast"" to ensure accuracy and appropriateness. Recognizing the potential for misinterpreting concepts like "self-fulfilling prophecy" is also crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prediction

Focuses on the act of foretelling events, often without religious or mystical connotations.

foretelling

A general term for predicting future events.

forecast

Implies a reasoned or calculated prediction, often based on data or trends.

prognostication

A more formal or technical term for predicting future events.

prescience

The ability to know or predict things before they happen.

divination

Refers to the practice of seeking knowledge of the future through supernatural means.

vaticination

An archaic term for prophecy or prediction, often associated with poetic or inspired utterance.

soothsaying

The act of foretelling events, typically by supernatural or intuitive means.

augury

Predicting the future based on omens or signs.

prognosis

A prediction about the likely course of a disease or ailment.

FAQs

How is "prophecy" used in a sentence?

The word "prophecy" can be used to describe a prediction, especially one made by a prophet or under divine inspiration. For example, "The ancient text contained a "prophecy" about the end of the world."

What are some synonyms for "prophecy"?

Alternatives to "prophecy" include "prediction", "forecast", "prognostication", and "divination", depending on the context.

What does "self-fulfilling prophecy" mean?

A "self-fulfilling "prophecy"" is a prediction that directly or indirectly causes itself to become true, due to the very terms of the prophecy itself, due to people's behavior. For example, if many investors believe a company will fail, they might sell its stock, causing the company to actually fail.

Is "prophecy" formal or informal?

The word "prophecy" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it often carries a slightly more formal or serious tone than a simple ""prediction"".