forecasts - Master This Word
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forecasts Word Meanings
- to predict future events, especially weather
- a statement about what is expected to happen
- an estimate of future conditions or outcomes
forecasts Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
forecasts Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈfɔːkɑːst/
US
/ˈfɔrkæst/
forecasts Word Etymology
fore- = before, cast = throw/place; Originated from Old English 'forcasta', meaning to throw forward. Imagine throwing a stone and forecasting its path ahead.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I grip the weather dial and turn it, watching the forecast line shift on the map. I move through clues—clouds, temps, chances—and adjust my plans as they change. The effort feels like steering a small boat, keeping it on course while the wind pushes and pulls at the sails. That sense of watching and deciding is how I use a forecast in daily life, to choose what to wear or when to grab an umbrella.
Real Context
Forecast is a versatile word used as both a verb and a noun. As a verb, it means to predict future events, often by using data, models, or informed judgment, with weather and business outcomes being common targets. As a noun, a forecast is the statement or report describing what is expected to happen. In work and daily life people forecast sales, demand, traffic, or weather, and the term usually implies a probabilistic view rather than a fixed outcome. Learners should note the common collocations: forecast that, forecast to be, and forecast for. Correct usage distinguishes forecast from foresee, which emphasizes a mental act rather than a published projection.
Usage Reminders
- Use forecast for future events or conditions, not past.
- Distinguish forecast (noun) from forecast (verb) by sentence structure.
- Often accompanies modal verbs (will, may, is expected to).
- Weather forecasts appear in maps and reports; business forecasts in plans.
- Watch for forecasted as an adjective form.
- When in doubt, test with a real report or news forecast.
Common Misconceptions
- Forecast is only about weather.
- Forecast and foresee are interchangeable.
- Forecasts predict with absolute certainty.
- Forecast can only be a noun in everyday use.
- Forecasted is never used in past contexts.
Thinking Differences
Think of forecast as a disciplined projection grounded in evidence; learners often confuse it with a guess or with foresee. In English, forecast leans toward formal or technical contexts (weather reports, business plans) and pairs with probabilistic language.
Learning Tips
- Learn both forms (verb and noun) and how they fit different sentence structures.
- Note common phrases: forecast that, forecast to be, forecast for.
- Separate weather forecasts from business forecasts in examples.
- Use probabilistic language (may, might, could, likely) with forecasts.
- Compare with foresee to avoid misusing the word.
- Practice by reading real forecasts (news, reports) and summarizing.
Related Listening
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