was predictable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was predictable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation or outcome that was expected or anticipated based on prior knowledge or evidence. Example: "The outcome of the game was predictable, given the team's previous performance throughout the season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

All this was predicted, and was predictable.

The Times

It was predictable and predicted.

Forbes

This was predictable and predicted.

Forbes

Russia's response was predictable.

The Economist

The outcome was predictable.

The New York Times - Sports

This was predictable.

The New York Times

The response was predictable.

The New York Times

The result was predictable.

The New York Times - Sports

That was predictable.

The Washington Post

The fallout was predictable.

The Washington Post

It was predictable.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was predictable" to concisely convey that an event or outcome was not surprising, based on prior knowledge or circumstances. It strengthens your argument by implying logical consistency.

Common error

Avoid using "was predictable" in conjunction with other words that already imply predictability, such as "unsurprisingly" or "obviously", as this creates redundancy and weakens your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was predictable" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating that an event or outcome could have been anticipated. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was predictable" is a grammatically correct and very common way to express that an event or outcome was expected. As Ludwig AI verifies, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it's used to provide commentary and analysis. When using this phrase, consider alternatives like "was to be expected" or "could have been foreseen" to avoid redundancy and enhance the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was to be expected

Highlights the expectation of a particular result.

was anticipated

Simply states that the event was expected.

was a foregone conclusion

Suggests the outcome was inevitable and predetermined.

could have been foreseen

Emphasizes the ability to anticipate the outcome beforehand.

was practically guaranteed

Highlights the very high likelihood and near certainty of the outcome.

should have been expected

Suggests a failure to anticipate something that was reasonably predictable.

was only a matter of time

Emphasizes that the event's occurrence was inevitable given the circumstances.

was almost certain

Focuses on the high probability of the event occurring.

was destined to happen

Highlights the inevitability and predetermination of the event.

was in the cards

Idiomatic expression indicating the outcome was predetermined or destined.

FAQs

How can I use "was predictable" in a sentence?

You can use "was predictable" to describe an outcome that was expected based on previous events or circumstances. For example, "Given the team's performance, their loss was predictable".

What can I say instead of "was predictable"?

You can use alternatives like "was to be expected", "could have been foreseen", or "was anticipated" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "was very predictable"?

While grammatically correct, using "very predictable" can sometimes sound redundant. Consider using stronger alternatives like "inevitable" or "certain" to enhance the impact of your statement.

What's the difference between "was predictable" and "seemed predictable"?

"Was predictable" implies that the outcome was, in fact, expected based on available information. "Seemed predictable" suggests that the outcome appeared likely, but there might have been an element of uncertainty or misjudgment.