we foresaw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we foresaw" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing predictions or anticipations about future events based on prior knowledge or insight. Example: "In our analysis, we foresaw the potential challenges that could arise from the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Mr Clinton's presidency has been both better, and worse, than we foresaw.

The Economist

These are the jubilant scenes we foresaw on this blog at 8.45am.

The Guardian - Sport

We would say 'Where are these phones?' I'm not saying that we foresaw the iPhone, but it was a gamechanger.

The Guardian

"Prior to the presidential elections, we foresaw attempts to squeeze us deliberately and methodically, as well as to destabilize the situation," Mr. Lukashenko said last week.

The New York Times

We foresaw a potential PR nightmare for Lego's alignment with Shell, and used the hook to push the petition up to 1m names.

The Guardian

He writes, "We hastened home; and fancying we foresaw in the swift progress of events, its entire abolition, resolved from that day forward to vent our speculations on our next-door neighbours in person".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

We foresee it happening next year.

The New York Times

Why didn't we foresee the eruption?

The Guardian

But we foresee some tricky toilet moments.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"We foresee significant income for the state of Israel".

The New York Times

"Nothing has come our way, nor do we foresee anything," Powar said in a telephone interview.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your audience. While "we foresaw" is generally acceptable, alternatives like "we anticipated" may be more suitable for formal or business contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "we foresaw" when the prediction was more of a guess or a hope, rather than a well-reasoned conclusion. Using stronger language in such cases can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we foresaw" functions as a declaration of a prior prediction or anticipation. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it introduces events, risks, or outcomes that the speaker or group had anticipated or predicted based on prior knowledge, analysis, or insight.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we foresaw" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to express that something was anticipated or predicted. Ludwig's examples show that it is used across various domains, particularly in news, science, and business contexts, to establish foresight and justify actions. While generally neutral in register, more formal alternatives like "we anticipated" may be preferable in certain professional settings. Understanding the subtle differences between "we foresaw" and similar phrases like "we expected" or "we predicted" can help you to communicate with greater precision. The quality score of this phrase is quite high, suggesting that authoritative sources employ it appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we anticipated

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes a careful assessment leading to the prediction.

we predicted

This option is a more direct and commonly used synonym, suggesting a clear declaration of what was expected.

we envisioned

This emphasizes a mental image or a detailed picture of the future event.

we foresaw the likelihood

Adds emphasis on probability.

we expected

This phrase is less formal and implies a general belief that something would happen.

we anticipated the possibility

It highlights the anticipation of a potential future event, acknowledging that it might not necessarily occur.

we saw coming

This is an informal alternative, implying that the event was predictable or unavoidable.

we could see

This suggests a clear and direct perception of the impending event.

it was foreseeable to us

Shifts the focus to the inherent predictability of the event, rather than the act of predicting.

we perceived in advance

This phrase highlights the act of perceiving something before it happens, suggesting a level of insight.

FAQs

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

You can use "we foresaw" to indicate that you predicted or anticipated something before it happened. For example, "We foresaw the potential challenges and developed a contingency plan."

What's a more formal alternative to "we foresaw"?

A more formal alternative to "we foresaw" is "we anticipated". This option suggests a more careful and detailed assessment leading to the prediction.

Is "we foresaw" the same as "we predicted"?

While similar, "we foresaw" implies a deeper insight or understanding that allowed you to see something coming, whereas "we predicted" is a more general statement of what you expected to happen.

When is it appropriate to use "we foresaw" instead of "we expected"?

"We foresaw" is appropriate when you had specific reasons or evidence to believe something would happen. "We expected" is suitable for more general expectations without specific supporting evidence.