What is forecast? Pronunciation and usage in English

forecast means . Learn how to pronounce and use forecast through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of forecast

forecastverb

/ˈfɔːkɑːst/
Definition & pronunciation of forecast

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "forecast." It's a common stumbling block for non-native English speakers! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • FOR-kast

Let’s break it down further:

  • FOR: Like the word "for" (as in "for you"). It’s a short, crisp sound.
  • kast: This is the tricky part. It sounds like "cast" (as in "throw a cast") but with a slightly shorter “a” sound. It's a quick, light syllable.

Here’s a more detailed phonetic breakdown (using the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA - which can be helpful for those who want to get really precise):

/ˈfɔːrkɑːst/

  • ˈfɔːrk: (The 'ˈ' symbol indicates primary stress - it’s the loudest part of the word). The "ɔː" is a broad "aw" sound, like in "caught" or "taught."
  • ɑːst: The "ɑː" is a longer "a" sound, like in "father.”

Tips for saying it correctly:

Would you like me to:

  • Break down any specific part of the pronunciation further?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "forecast"?

Usage and examples with the word forecast in English

Let's break down how to use the word "forecast" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, primarily relating to predicting the future.

1. As a Verb (to predict):

This is the most common usage. "Forecast" means to predict or estimate something, often about the weather, economics, or trends.

  • Weather: "The meteorologist has a forecast for rain tomorrow." "The forecast is calling for sunshine and 25 degrees Celsius."
  • Economics: "Analysts are forecasting a slowdown in economic growth." "The company's forecast shows increased profits next quarter."
  • Trends: "Marketing experts are forecasting a rise in demand for sustainable products." “The report forecasts a shift in consumer preferences.”
  • General predictions: “I’m going to forecast that this will be a long, difficult project.”

Examples:

  • "Let's forecast the stock market's performance for the next year."
  • "The scientists are forecasting a significant rise in sea levels."
  • "The coach forecast a challenging game against their rivals."

2. As a Noun (a prediction):

When used as a noun, “forecast” refers to the prediction itself.

  • Weather Forecast: "I checked the weather forecast before I left."
  • Economic Forecast: "The economic forecast is pessimistic."
  • Market Forecast: "They released a detailed market forecast this morning."

Examples:

  • "She consulted the forecast before making her travel plans."
  • "The economists presented their latest forecast to the board."

Key Differences & Nuances:

  • Forecast vs. Prediction: "Forecast" typically implies a more formal or professional prediction, often based on data and analysis. "Prediction" is a more general term. You could say "He made a prediction that it would snow," but you’d likely use “forecast” in a meteorological context.

  • Forecasted vs. Forecasting:

    • Forecasted is the past participle (used with auxiliary verbs like "has," "had," "were," etc.): "The forecast was accurate."
    • Forecasting is the present participle (used with "is," "are," "was," "were," etc.): “The agency is forecasting a heatwave.”

Here's a table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To predict, estimate "The weather forecast predicts thunder."
Noun A prediction, estimate “Let’s read the weather forecast.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you interested in using "forecast" in? (e.g., weather, business, general conversation?)

Synonyms for the word forecast

Comment ()