unforeseen things

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unforeseen things" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to events or situations that were not anticipated or expected. Example: "In the course of the project, we encountered several unforeseen things that delayed our timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

During every storm, many unforeseen things happen.

The Guardian - Books

"We're still working on everything, unforeseen things," Butler said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I never believed in that, but I do believe that unforeseen things happen at unforeseen times, which is actually a scripture from Ecclesiastes".

The New York Times - Sports

In the end the war went more or less as foreseen, though much of what military commanders expected did not happen, and many unforeseen things did.

The New York Times

"The number of special challenges, unforeseen things you have to deal with, long supply chains, just make it very difficult to have the same level of confidence around costs as you do for development elsewhere," said Andrew Slaughter, executive director of the Deloitte Center for Energy Solutions.

The New York Times

There's a lot of unforeseen things that you have to deal with when you're gong 100 miles per hour".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Barring injuries or some other unforeseen thing, normally the cream will rise to the top.

The New York Times - Sports

And Manager Terry Collins was more emphatic than Alderson about the need to have a viable backup, saying, "We've got to have an alternative, different plan here just in case some unforeseen thing continues to nag him to where he can't start".

The New York Times - Sports

But I think people are much more curious about all this talk about hardware, and they want to know whether their Xbox One is going to be upgradeable, or whether they're going to be asked to buy a new system in two years, or some other, unforeseen thing that's being hinted at, but not actually discussed.

Forbes

Maybe one team will win on a fluke (deflected pass, fumble or some other unforeseen thing, such as a gust of wind at a critical time), and to the losing side, that player will appear to be just plain lucky.

Los Angeles Times

Who Will Zip Up My Dress Now? Being suddenly widowed brings on a bunch of unforeseen practical things you can't do by yourself.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In narratives, employing "unforeseen things" can effectively introduce plot twists or unexpected challenges that characters must overcome.

Common error

While "unforeseen things" is generally acceptable, in highly formal or academic writing, consider using more precise synonyms like "unanticipated circumstances" or "unpredicted outcomes" to enhance clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unforeseen things" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to refer to unexpected or unanticipated events and situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unforeseen things" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that refers to unexpected or unanticipated events. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it commonly functions as a noun phrase, often found in news and media contexts. While it is acceptable for general use, it is advisable to consider more precise synonyms like "unexpected events" or "unanticipated circumstances" in formal writing. It's important to acknowledge potential "unforeseen things" in planning, but avoid overusing the phrase in formal settings. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively and accurately incorporate "unforeseen things" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unexpected events

Emphasizes the surprise aspect of the occurrences.

unanticipated circumstances

Highlights the situational nature of the unforeseen occurrences.

unpredicted outcomes

Focuses on the results that were not anticipated.

unforeseeable consequences

Draws attention to the ripple effects that could not be predicted.

surprising developments

Highlights the element of surprise and the sense of something unfolding.

chance occurrences

Refers to events happening by chance that could not have been planned.

random incidents

Emphasizes the unpredictable and haphazard nature of the events.

unplanned situations

Focuses on the lack of planning or forethought related to the circumstances.

contingencies

Highlights the need for preparedness for events that might happen.

unavoidable situations

Underlines that the circumstances cannot be avoided, regardless of foresight.

FAQs

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

"Unforeseen things" is used to describe events or situations that were not predicted or expected. For example, "During the project, we encountered several "unforeseen things" that delayed the timeline."

What can I say instead of "unforeseen things"?

You can use alternatives like "unexpected events", "unanticipated circumstances", or "unforeseeable consequences" depending on the specific context.

Is "unforeseen things" formal or informal?

"Unforeseen things" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, more precise synonyms may be preferred.

What is the difference between "unforeseen things" and "unforeseen circumstances"?

While both phrases refer to unexpected events, "unforeseen circumstances" specifically emphasizes the situational aspect of the unexpected occurrences, whereas "unforeseen things" is more general.