was a foregone conclusion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was a foregone conclusion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something was certain to happen or was inevitable. Example: "Given the team's performance throughout the season, their victory in the championship was a foregone conclusion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

His victory was a foregone conclusion.

The Economist

For many, it was a foregone conclusion.

The Economist

That was a foregone conclusion of course.

The New York Times

The winner was a foregone conclusion.

The Guardian - Arts

A sequel was a foregone conclusion.

The Guardian - Film

The result was a foregone conclusion.

The Guardian

Bear's demise, it seemed, was a foregone conclusion.

The New York Times

The verdict was a foregone conclusion from the start.

The Guardian

After 14 minutes the result was a foregone conclusion.

The Guardian - Sport

That the statements were grossly exaggerated was a foregone conclusion.

The New York Times

IN THE end, it was a foregone conclusion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was a foregone conclusion" when you want to emphasize that an outcome was so predictable that it seemed almost unnecessary to wait for it to happen. This phrase often implies a lack of suspense or surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "was a foregone conclusion" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "was inevitable" or "was a certainty" to maintain reader engagement and stylistic flair.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was a foregone conclusion" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the subject as something that was certain to happen. Ludwig examples confirm its use in expressing inevitability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was a foregone conclusion" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express that an outcome was inevitable and predictable. As Ludwig AI highlights, it frequently appears in News & Media and academic contexts, indicating its broad applicability. To enhance writing, consider using synonyms like "was inevitable" or "was certain" to avoid repetition. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively integrate this phrase into your writing to convey a sense of certainty and inevitability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was inevitable

Replaces 'foregone conclusion' with a simpler, more direct term emphasizing certainty.

was virtually certain

Adds a degree of qualification, acknowledging a very slight possibility of an alternative outcome.

was a certainty

Substitutes 'foregone conclusion' with a shorter, more assertive synonym.

was bound to happen

Expresses inevitability through the idea of being destined or compelled to occur.

was a predictable outcome

Shifts focus to the expectation and ease of anticipating the result.

was preordained

Conveys a sense of being predetermined or divinely decided.

was in the cards

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest that the outcome was destined.

was written on the wall

Implies that the outcome was obvious and unavoidable from early signs.

was a done deal

Indicates that the matter was already settled and irreversible.

could be anticipated

Highlights the ability to foresee the result, rather than its absolute certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "was a foregone conclusion" in a sentence?

You can use "was a foregone conclusion" to indicate that something was certain to happen. For example: "Given their dominant performance, the team's victory "was a foregone conclusion"."

What can I say instead of "was a foregone conclusion"?

Alternatives include "was inevitable", "was certain", or "was predetermined", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "the outcome was a foregone conclusion"?

While "outcome" and "foregone conclusion" both relate to the end result, using "the outcome "was a foregone conclusion"" emphasizes the certainty and predictability of that result, rather than being strictly redundant.

What's the difference between "was a foregone conclusion" and "was likely"?

"Was a foregone conclusion" implies a much higher degree of certainty than "was likely". The former suggests the event was virtually guaranteed, while the latter only suggests a high probability.