we envisaged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we envisaged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing plans, ideas, or visions for the future, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "In our strategic meeting, we envisaged a future where our company leads the industry in innovation and sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We envisaged candidates hunting for votes.

The Guardian

For Argos, for example, we envisaged a circular business model built on the strapline Lease it.

The Guardian

Back in 1948, we envisaged a future of security, prosperity and mutual respect with our neighbors.

The New York Times

This performance, said Aad Jacobs, the former equity analyst who runs ING, "not quite satisfies what we envisaged".

The Economist

We envisaged a short-term association founded on our mutual pursuit of business ventures unimpeded by excessive red tape.

Independent

"The festival cost us a lot more to put on than we envisaged, so a small price increase was necessary to ensure the longevity of the festival".

The Guardian - Music

So I did deliver on power-sharing, but on this one important aspect, I'm not saying it's not important, of what we envisaged, we failed to deliver.

The Guardian

We envisaged this happening two seasons ago when we began to introduce new and clearer procedures for reporting discrimination and dealing with related cases".

The Guardian - Sport

A la Uma and Ethan, we envisaged wandering through the West Village on sunny Sunday mornings, pushing a Maclaren buggy with our beaming bundle inside.

The New York Times - Style

We see that as incredibly unfair and inequitable – and it continues to happen without anyone saying, 'hang on a minute, this isn't what we envisaged'".

The Guardian

There will be a United Ireland but not in the way we envisaged it happening years ago.' Freddie Toal nods his consent.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we envisaged" to describe carefully considered plans or expectations, particularly when referring to a collective vision or foresight. This phrase is suitable for formal reports, presentations, and strategic documents.

Common error

Avoid using "we envisage" when referring to past events; the correct past tense form is "we envisaged". Using the present tense in this context can create confusion about the timing of the vision or plan.

Linguistic Context

We envisaged functions as a verb phrase indicating a past anticipation, expectation, or mental conception of a future event or situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for formal contexts. The examples show usage in describing initial plans and expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we envisaged" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe past anticipations or visions, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is commonly found in scientific, news, and business contexts, denoting a formal tone. When writing, remember to use it in the correct tense and consider alternatives like ""we anticipated"" or ""we expected"" depending on the desired nuance. Remember, "we envisaged" is more about carefully considered plans while "we predicted" refers to a more calculated approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we envisioned

Substitutes 'envisaged' with 'envisioned', which is a direct synonym focusing on a mental image.

we anticipated

Replaces 'envisaged' with 'anticipated', focusing on expecting something to happen.

we imagined

Uses 'imagined' to convey a sense of creating a mental picture or scenario.

we foresaw

Uses 'foresaw' to indicate seeing or knowing something in advance.

we expected

Replaces 'envisaged' with 'expected', a more common and straightforward term for anticipation.

we projected

Highlights a formal assessment or forecast using 'projected'.

we predicted

Employs 'predicted' to highlight a more formal or scientific expectation.

we had in mind

Emphasizes the initial idea or intention, using a more colloquial expression.

we contemplated

Substitutes 'envisaged' with 'contemplated', indicating careful thought or consideration.

we planned for

Replaces 'envisaged' by focusing on the planning aspect of anticipating a future event or situation.

FAQs

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

Use "we envisaged" to describe a past plan or expectation. For example, "We envisaged a significant increase in sales after the marketing campaign".

What's a good alternative to "we envisaged"?

Alternatives include "we anticipated", "we expected", or "we envisioned". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "we envisaged" formal or informal?

"We envisaged" is generally considered a formal expression suitable for professional, academic, or official contexts. More informal alternatives might include "we thought" or "we figured".

What is the difference between "we envisaged" and "we predicted"?

"We envisaged" implies forming a mental image or plan, while "we predicted" suggests making a forecast based on analysis or evidence. The first focuses on vision, the second on calculated estimation.