unforeseen development

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unforeseen development" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an unexpected event or change that occurs, often with significant implications. Example: "The project faced an unforeseen development that required immediate attention from the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"Unless there is some unforeseen development, I think the market is going lower".

The New York Times

Hertha's flight of fancy is not the only unforeseen development a quarter into the 2015-16 season.

The Guardian - Sport

He muddled through four more scoreless innings, and the Yankees were so relieved with this unforeseen development that they immediately replaced him.

The New York Times - Sports

A similarly unforeseen development, he said, is that "the thumb has become a very important tool for social and commercial relationships".

The New York Times - Tech

The upshot is that if Mr Perry wins the Republican primary he will (barring some major unforeseen development) be re-elected.

The Economist

Barring an unforeseen development, Arizona will move to the American League West, Tampa Bay to the National League Southeast and Texas to what will become a six-team A.L. Central.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Events abroad, the stock market or other unforeseen developments could change the course of the race everywhere.

The New York Times

But if there were some sort of unforeseen extremist revolution in Saudi Arabia, or unforeseen developments in Palestine, that would not be good, either.

The New York Times

The minister said the cleanup, which has recovered 240 tons of fuel oil on shore and at sea, should be finished within six months, barring unforeseen developments.

The New York Times

He fails to mention that the procedure is a legally mandated way of dealing with unforeseen developments such as his selection for the national ticket by Al Gore.

The New York Times

But he did caution that "there may be significant unforeseen developments or changes in wartime strategy or tactics that cannot be addressed with existing resources".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unforeseen development" to describe situations where planning did not account for certain events, adding a layer of complexity or requiring adaptation.

Common error

Avoid using "unforeseen development" when a simpler term like "surprise" or "change" would suffice. This phrase is most impactful when the development significantly alters the course of events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unforeseen development" functions as a noun phrase, where "unforeseen" acts as a pre-modifying adjective describing the type of development. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "unforeseen development" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote an unexpected or unanticipated event. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate and proper usage. Primarily found in news, science, and business contexts, its purpose is to identify and categorize events that were not predicted, often requiring adaptation or adjustments. While suitable for various contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferable in informal settings. Understanding its nuances can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unforeseen circumstance

Similar to the original phrase, but emphasizes the specific situation.

unexpected turn of events

Emphasizes the element of surprise and change in circumstances.

unanticipated consequence

Focuses on the result or outcome that was not predicted.

unanticipated outcome

Highlights the result that was not predicted or expected.

sudden twist

Highlights the abrupt and unexpected nature of the change.

surprise twist

Emphasizes the unexpected nature of a plot or situation change.

unpredicted event

A more general term for an occurrence that was not foreseen.

unexpected incident

Focuses on a specific event that was not anticipated.

surprise occurrence

Stresses the element of astonishment associated with the event.

chance happening

Suggests that the event was due to luck or coincidence.

FAQs

How can I use "unforeseen development" in a sentence?

You can use "unforeseen development" to describe an unexpected event or change that impacts a plan or situation. For example: "The project faced an "unforeseen development" that required immediate attention."

What can I say instead of "unforeseen development"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpected turn of events", "unanticipated consequence", or "sudden twist" depending on the specific context.

Is "unforeseen development" a formal phrase?

The phrase "unforeseen development" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it's more common in news, business, and academic settings. Simpler alternatives might be preferred in very informal situations.

What's the difference between "unforeseen development" and "unexpected development"?

While similar, "unforeseen development" suggests that the event was not only unexpected but also potentially not predictable or considered in advance. "Unexpected development" is broader and simply implies that the event was not anticipated.