to predict

USAGE SUMMARY

"to predict" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing the action of making a guess or estimate about the outcome or result of an event. Example: Meteorologists use a variety of methods to predict the weather.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's hard to predict.

The New York Times

"We tried to predict.

The New York Times

It's impossible to predict.

The New York Times

How? Hard to predict.

The New York Times

It is impossible to predict.

The Economist

"F1 is impossible to predict.

Independent

It's difficult to predict".

The New York Times - Sports

It was nearly impossible to predict this.

The New York Times - Sports

Its direction, however, is hard to predict.

The Economist

The psychological impact is difficult to predict.

The Economist

But psychological processes are hard to predict.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to predict", ensure your statement is supported by evidence or reasoning, as predictions imply a degree of certainty or informed estimation.

Common error

Avoid presenting predictions as absolute truths. Instead, acknowledge the inherent uncertainty by using qualifiers such as "likely", "potentially", or "may".

Linguistic Context

To predict" functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in expressing the action of forecasting future events or outcomes based on available information, similar to Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to predict" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed infinitive phrase used to express the act of forecasting or estimating future events. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, science, and business, with a generally neutral to professional register. While predictions should be supported by evidence, it's crucial to avoid presenting them as absolute certainties. Consider using alternative phrases like ""to forecast"" or ""to anticipate"" to fine-tune the nuance of your statement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to forecast

Replaces "predict" with a synonym emphasizing the use of data for future estimates.

to anticipate

Suggests expecting something beforehand, focusing on proactive preparation.

to foresee

Implies seeing or knowing something in advance, often through intuition.

to estimate

Focuses on approximating a value or outcome, often when precise data is unavailable.

to project

Emphasizes extending current trends into the future to make a prediction.

to foretell

A more formal term for predicting, often used in literary or prophetic contexts.

to prognosticate

A highly formal synonym for predicting, often used in medical or technical fields.

to guess

Implies a less scientific and more speculative prediction.

to speculate

Suggests forming a theory or conjecture without firm evidence.

to call

To foresee as if having the power to do so, like calling the next play in a sports game.

FAQs

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

You can use "to predict" to describe the act of forecasting or estimating a future event based on available information. For example, "Scientists use data to predict climate change".

What's a good alternative to "to predict"?

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

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

"To predict" is the infinitive form, often used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "is going to predict"). "Predicting" is the gerund or present participle form, used in continuous tenses or as a noun (e.g., "Predicting the future is difficult").

What's the difference between "to predict" and "to foresee"?

"To predict" typically involves using data or reasoning to estimate a future event, while "to foresee" implies a more intuitive or insightful understanding of what is likely to happen.