we can envisage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we can envisage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability to imagine or visualize a future scenario or concept. Example: "In the coming years, we can envisage a world where renewable energy sources dominate the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"But I am not sure an offer is something we can envisage".

The New York Times

If we can envisage greater collaboration across the disciplines, technology and science can deliver on their promise and potential.

The Guardian

Q. "Immediate transfer of sovereignty," -- does this mean that after the resolution, we can envisage a period of a month?

The New York Times

But like we say, we can envisage some success for them, albeit of the cliquey, culty, cooler-than-thou variety.

The Guardian - Music

"Yes, we can envisage that," Mr. Kiejman said, "and for that reason no one can say how we will act.

The New York Times

We can envisage relatively straightforward modifications to the instrument that should improve both its resolution and sensitivity.

International Journal of Mass Spectrometry

Not that we can envisage Corden's Craig popping up again here, because he's busy hosting talkshows in America, and anyway what would be the point?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

We reel away from such vertiginous figures, we can envisage a huge pile of money, notes piled on notes, but we cannot comprehend its true magnitude.

The Guardian - Books

Causal layered analysis is a futures research tool that enables the creation of transformative spaces in which we can envisage alternative and preferred futures.

Futures

If I prefer House to Garden, it is because so much is left to our imagination: we can envisage both the emotional havoc taking place in the lower meadow and the sodden awfulness of a summer fete.

The Guardian

Looking further ahead, we can envisage a learning healthcare system in which ADRs are automatically detected in patient records and are reported to relevant regulatory bodies if the specific drug-ADR association is missing from the system's knowledge graph.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we can envisage", ensure that the scenario you are describing is logically plausible based on the information provided, enhancing credibility.

Common error

Avoid presenting "we can envisage" scenarios as guaranteed outcomes; maintain a degree of professional distance and acknowledge potential variables that could alter the projected future.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we can envisage" functions as an introductory phrase, used to present a possible future scenario or outcome. It's a way of saying that something is conceivable or imaginable, often based on current trends or understanding, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we can envisage" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to introduce conceivable or imaginable future scenarios, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While versatile, it leans towards a formal register, making it suitable for professional, academic, and scientific contexts. While sources are primarily scientific and journalistic, be wary of overstating certainty, rather use synonyms like "we can foresee" for a more informal approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we can envision

A synonym of 'envisage', using a slightly more formal tone.

we can imagine

Replaces 'envisage' with 'imagine', a more common and readily understood synonym.

we can foresee

Uses 'foresee' instead of 'envisage', implying a prediction based on current evidence.

we can anticipate

Substitutes 'envisage' with 'anticipate', suggesting preparation for a likely future event.

we can visualize

Replaces 'envisage' with 'visualize', focusing on the mental image aspect.

we can project

Uses 'project' in place of 'envisage', implying an extrapolation from current trends.

we can contemplate

Substitutes 'envisage' with 'contemplate', suggesting a more thoughtful consideration of possibilities.

we can conceive

Replaces 'envisage' with 'conceive', indicating the formation of an idea or plan.

we can picture

Uses 'picture' instead of 'envisage', emphasizing the creation of a mental image.

we can anticipate the possibility of

Expands on the original phrase to explicitly include the idea of possibility, adding emphasis.

FAQs

How can I use "we can envisage" in a sentence?

The phrase "we can envisage" is used to introduce a scenario or outcome that one can imagine or foresee. For example: "We can envisage a future where renewable energy powers most homes."

What's a simpler way to say "we can envisage"?

You can use alternatives like "we can imagine", "we can foresee", or "we can anticipate" depending on the context.

Is "we can envisage" appropriate for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "we can envisage" is more suited to formal or professional contexts. Simpler alternatives like "we can imagine" are more appropriate for informal writing.

What is the difference between "we can envisage" and "we can envision"?

"We can envisage" and "we can envision" are largely interchangeable, with "envision" being a slightly more common synonym. Both suggest the ability to picture or foresee a future possibility.