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B2 verb #7,000 most common 6 min read

prognosis

Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips prognosis in 30 Seconds

Explanation prognosis in your Level:

Prognosis is a word for a guess about the future. Doctors use it to say if a sick person will get better. For example, 'The doctor says I will be okay soon' is a simple way to say the prognosis is good. It is a very difficult word for beginners, so you can just say 'future plan' or 'doctor's guess'.

Prognosis is a special word that means 'prediction'. We use it most often in hospitals. If someone is sick, the doctor gives a prognosis. This tells the family if the person will get well. You might also hear it on the news about money. It is a formal word. Instead of 'prognosis', you can use 'outlook'.

A prognosis is an expert's opinion on what will happen in the future, especially regarding an illness or a financial situation. It is more than just a guess; it is based on facts and evidence. For example, if a company is losing money, a financial expert might give a 'poor prognosis' for the company's future. It is a countable noun, and the plural is 'prognoses'.

Prognosis is a noun used to describe the likely course of a disease or a situation. At the B2 level, you should be able to use it in both medical and metaphorical contexts, such as economics or politics. It is often preceded by adjectives like 'favorable', 'dire', or 'guarded'. Remember to distinguish it from 'diagnosis', which is the identification of a current problem, while prognosis is the prediction of its outcome.

In advanced English, 'prognosis' is used to convey a data-driven forecast within a professional or academic framework. It implies a systematic analysis of variables to project a future state. You will encounter it in high-level medical journals, economic white papers, and political science analyses. Mastery of the word involves using it with precise collocations like 'long-term prognosis' or 'prognosis for recovery'.

At the C2 level, 'prognosis' is utilized with nuance to describe the anticipated trajectory of complex systems. It can be used ironically or metaphorically to critique the viability of ideologies, social movements, or technological shifts. One must also be comfortable with the plural 'prognoses' and the related verb 'prognosticate', understanding the subtle shifts in register and tone that these terms provide in academic and literary discourse.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

prognosis in 30 Seconds

A prognosis is an expert prediction about the future of a disease or situation.
It is a countable noun with the plural form 'prognoses'.
Commonly used in medical, economic, and political contexts to forecast outcomes.
Often described with adjectives like 'favorable', 'poor', 'grim', or 'optimistic'.

The word prognosis is a sophisticated term primarily used to describe a forecast or a prediction about how something will develop in the future. While it originated in the medical field to describe the likely course of a disease, its usage has expanded significantly into economics, politics, and general business strategy. When a professional offers a prognosis, they are not merely guessing; they are providing an educated outlook based on existing data, symptoms, or trends. Understanding this word requires recognizing the difference between knowing what is happening now (diagnosis) and predicting what will happen next (prognosis).

Medical Context: In medicine, a prognosis refers to the likely outcome of a patient's condition. It answers the question: 'Will I get better, and how long will it take?' Doctors base this on the patient's current health, the nature of the illness, and how similar cases have progressed in the past.

After the successful surgery, the doctor provided a very positive prognosis for a full recovery within six months.

Economic Context: Economists use the term to predict the health of a market or a country's financial future. If inflation is high and employment is low, the economic prognosis might be described as 'grim' or 'uncertain'.

The analyst's prognosis for the tech sector suggests a period of slow growth followed by a rapid rebound.

Environmental Context: Climate scientists often provide a prognosis regarding the health of specific ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef, based on rising ocean temperatures and pollution levels.

Without immediate intervention, the prognosis for the endangered species is quite poor.

The CEO gave a cautious prognosis during the annual general meeting, citing global supply chain issues.

Despite the initial setbacks, the prognosis for the peace talks remains cautiously optimistic.

Using prognosis correctly requires paying attention to the adjectives that describe it and the prepositions that follow it. As a countable noun, it can be singular (prognosis) or plural (prognoses). The most common way to use it is to 'give', 'offer', or 'provide' a prognosis. It is frequently paired with evaluative adjectives like 'favorable', 'poor', 'guarded', or 'excellent'.

Common Collocations: You will often see phrases like 'a gloomy prognosis', 'a long-term prognosis', or 'an uncertain prognosis'. These help define the quality of the prediction being made.

The financial expert offered a bleak prognosis for small businesses struggling with high interest rates.

Prepositional Usage: The word is usually followed by 'for' or 'of'. For example, 'the prognosis for the patient' or 'the prognosis of the disease'. 'For' is generally more common when discussing the subject of the prediction.

Medical prognoses have improved significantly thanks to advancements in genetic screening.

What is the prognosis for the housing market over the next five years?

Formal Tone: Prognosis is a formal word. In casual conversation, people might say 'outlook' or 'prediction'. Use 'prognosis' when you want to sound authoritative or when discussing technical subjects.

The committee's prognosis was based on a comprehensive review of the available evidence.

The prognosis of the political situation in the region is difficult to determine due to many volatile factors.

While 'prognosis' isn't a word you'll hear every day at the grocery store, it is a staple in specific professional environments. If you watch medical dramas, read financial newspapers, or follow scientific journals, you will encounter it frequently. It carries a weight of expertise and data-driven forecasting.

In the Hospital: This is the most traditional setting. Doctors use it when talking to families about a patient's recovery chances. It is often a very emotional context, where a 'good prognosis' brings relief and a 'poor prognosis' brings grief.

'The prognosis is excellent,' the oncologist said, pointing to the latest scans.

In Financial News: Financial analysts on networks like Bloomberg or CNBC use prognosis to describe the outlook for the stock market, interest rates, or specific companies. It implies a prediction based on technical analysis.

The IMF's prognosis for global growth was revised downward this morning.

Weather forecasters sometimes use the term when discussing long-term climate patterns rather than daily rain chances.

In Sports Coaching: When a star athlete gets injured, the team's medical staff provides a prognosis for when they can return to the field. Fans wait anxiously for these reports.

The prognosis for the quarterback's knee injury is better than expected; he might play in the playoffs.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 'prognosis' is confusing it with its close relative, 'diagnosis'. While they sound similar and are both used in medical and analytical contexts, they refer to different points in time. Another common error is using 'prognosis' as a verb, which is incorrect.

Prognosis vs. Diagnosis: A diagnosis identifies the problem (e.g., 'You have the flu'). A prognosis predicts the outcome (e.g., 'You will feel better in three days'). You cannot have a prognosis until you have a diagnosis.

Incorrect: The doctor's prognosis was that I had a broken arm. (Correct: diagnosis)

Verb Misuse: Some people try to say 'The doctor prognosised the recovery.' This is wrong. The verb form is prognosticate, though it is quite rare and formal. Most people simply say 'The doctor gave a prognosis'.

Incorrect: We need to prognosis the market. (Correct: forecast/predict or 'give a prognosis for')

Confusion also arises with the plural. Don't say 'prognosises'; say 'prognoses'.

While 'prognosis' is a very specific term, there are several synonyms that might be more appropriate depending on the level of formality and the subject matter. Words like 'forecast', 'outlook', and 'prediction' are the most common alternatives.

Forecast: Best for weather or business. It implies a calculation based on data. 'The weather forecast' or 'sales forecast'.

The weather forecast is much more common than 'weather prognosis' in daily speech.

Outlook: A slightly less formal way to describe a prognosis. 'The economic outlook' is used interchangeably with 'the economic prognosis'.

Prediction is a general term. A prognosis is a professional prediction.

The analyst changed his outlook from negative to stable after the new policy announcement.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The root '-gnosis' is the same root found in 'know' and 'knowledge'. So, 'pro-gnosis' literally means 'pre-knowledge'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /prɒɡˈnəʊ.sɪs/

US /prɑːɡˈnoʊ.sɪs/

The primary stress is on the second syllable: prog-NO-sis.

Rhymes With

diagnosis hypnosis neurosis psychosis thrombosis symbiosis osmosis apoptosis

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'g' as silent (it must be heard).
Stress on the first syllable (PROG-no-sis is incorrect).
Using 's' instead of 'z' sound for the plural 'prognoses'.
Confusing the ending with '-ness'.
Swapping the 'o' and 'u' sounds.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Requires understanding of Greek roots and formal contexts. Common in academic and professional texts.

Writing 5/5

Hard to spell correctly, and the plural 'prognoses' is tricky for many learners.

Speaking 4/5

The stress on the second syllable is often misplaced by non-native speakers.

Listening 3/5

Easily confused with 'diagnosis' if the speaker is talking quickly.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

predict future doctor health result

Learn Next

diagnose prognosticate trajectory viability preemptive

Advanced

etiology epidemiology extrapolation prescience foreboding

Grammar to Know

Greek Plurals

Nouns ending in -is change to -es in the plural. Example: prognosis -> prognoses.

Adjective Placement

Adjectives like 'favorable' or 'dire' always come before 'prognosis' to modify its meaning.

Prepositional Choice

Use 'for' when referring to the subject of the prediction (e.g., prognosis for the patient).

Countability

Because it is countable, you must use 'a' or 'the' or a number (e.g., 'three different prognoses').

Verb Pairing

Commonly paired with 'give', 'offer', 'provide', 'receive', or 'issue'.

Examples by Level

The doctor's prognosis was good.

Le pronostic du médecin était bon.

Simple subject + verb + adjective.

I hope the prognosis is positive.

J'espère que le pronostic est positif.

Uses 'hope' with a basic noun.

Is the prognosis bad?

Le pronostic est-il mauvais ?

Simple question structure.

His prognosis is to rest.

Son pronostic est de se reposer.

Linking prognosis to an action.

The dog has a good prognosis.

Le chien a un bon pronostic.

Using 'has' to show possession of a state.

What is my prognosis?

Quel est mon pronostic ?

Standard 'What is' question.

The prognosis is for one week.

Le pronostic est pour une semaine.

Using 'for' to show time.

She gave a clear prognosis.

Elle a donné un pronostic clair.

Subject + verb + object.

The medical prognosis was better than we thought.

Le pronostic médical était meilleur que ce que nous pensions.

Comparative 'better than'.

Experts gave a prognosis for the economy.

Les experts ont donné un pronostic pour l'économie.

Preposition 'for' used with a sector.

Her prognosis for the project was very helpful.

Son pronostic pour le projet a été très utile.

Possessive 'her' modifying the noun.

They are waiting for the final prognosis.

Ils attendent le pronostic final.

Present continuous tense.

The prognosis says the rain will stop.

Le pronostic dit que la pluie va s'arrêter.

Personification of 'prognosis' as the speaker.

Without care, the prognosis is poor.

Sans soins, le pronostic est mauvais.

Conditional 'without' phrase.

He asked for a prognosis of the situation.

Il a demandé un pronostic de la situation.

Preposition 'of' used for context.

The prognosis was wrong last time.

Le pronostic était faux la dernière fois.

Past tense with 'wrong'.

The doctor's prognosis was guardedly optimistic after the tests.

Le pronostic du médecin était prudemment optimiste après les tests.

Adverb + adjective combination.

Many economists have a bleak prognosis for the coming year.

De nombreux économistes ont un pronostic sombre pour l'année à venir.

Adjective 'bleak' describing the noun.

What is the long-term prognosis for this kind of injury?

Quel est le pronostic à long terme pour ce type de blessure ?

Compound adjective 'long-term'.

The prognosis for the species is critical due to habitat loss.

Le pronostic pour l'espèce est critique en raison de la perte d'habitat.

Cause and effect using 'due to'.

He provided a detailed prognosis of the company's health.

Il a fourni un pronostic détaillé de la santé de l'entreprise.

Noun phrase 'company's health'.

A favorable prognosis depends on early detection of the problem.

Un pronostic favorable dépend de la détection précoce du problème.

Subject-verb agreement with 'depends on'.

The prognosis was updated after the second round of data.

Le pronostic a été mis à jour après la deuxième série de données.

Passive voice 'was updated'.

It is difficult to give an accurate prognosis at this stage.

Il est difficile de donner un pronostic précis à ce stade.

Infinitive phrase 'to give'.

The political prognosis remains uncertain as the elections approach.

Le pronostic politique reste incertain à l'approche des élections.

Linking verb 'remains'.

Despite the initial shock, the prognosis for the market is stable.

Malgré le choc initial, le pronostic pour le marché est stable.

Concessive clause starting with 'Despite'.

The surgeon was hesitant to offer a definitive prognosis.

Le chirurgien hésitait à proposer un pronostic définitif.

Adjective 'definitive' used with 'prognosis'.

Environmentalists have issued a dire prognosis for the coastal regions.

Les écologistes ont émis un pronostic désastreux pour les régions côtières.

Present perfect tense 'have issued'.

The patient's prognosis improved dramatically after the new treatment.

Le pronostic du patient s'est considérablement amélioré après le nouveau traitement.

Adverb 'dramatically' modifying the verb 'improved'.

We need to consider the prognosis for future generations.

Nous devons tenir compte du pronostic pour les générations futures.

Modal verb 'need to'.

The analyst's prognosis was based on flawed statistical models.

Le pronostic de l'analyste était basé sur des modèles statistiques erronés.

Passive voice with 'based on'.

There are several conflicting prognoses regarding the debt crisis.

Il existe plusieurs pronostics contradictoires concernant la crise de la dette.

Plural form 'prognoses'.

The bleak prognosis for the tech sector led to a massive sell-off.

Le sombre pronostic pour le secteur technologique a entraîné une vente massive.

Causal relationship expressed by 'led to'.

Clinicians must provide a realistic prognosis to ensure informed consent.

Les cliniciens doivent fournir un pronostic réaliste pour garantir un consentement éclairé.

Infinitive of purpose 'to ensure'.

The prognosis for a peaceful resolution is increasingly grim.

Le pronostic d'une résolution pacifique est de plus en plus sombre.

Adverbial intensification 'increasingly'.

Such a guarded prognosis is typical in cases of advanced-stage illness.

Un pronostic aussi réservé est typique dans les cas de maladie à un stade avancé.

Use of 'such a' for emphasis.

The report offers a sobering prognosis of the effects of global warming.

Le rapport propose un pronostic donne à réfléchir sur les effets du réchauffement climatique.

Adjective 'sobering' used for serious impact.

Differences in medical prognoses can lead to significant patient anxiety.

Les différences dans les pronostics médicaux peuvent entraîner une anxiété importante chez le patient.

Plural subject with 'can lead to'.

The economic prognosis for the region is contingent on trade deals.

Le pronostic économique pour la région dépend des accords commerciaux.

Adjective 'contingent on' showing dependency.

He challenged the optimistic prognosis of the incumbent government.

Il a contesté le pronostic optimiste du gouvernement en place.

Complex noun phrase 'incumbent government'.

The existential prognosis for the small island nation is devastating.

Le pronostic existentiel pour la petite nation insulaire est dévastateur.

Adjective 'existential' modifying the prediction.

Critics argue that the artist's prognosis for society was overly cynical.

Les critiques soutiennent que le pronostic de l'artiste pour la société était excessivement cynique.

Subordinate clause 'that...'

The multifaceted prognosis requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Le pronostic multidimensionnel nécessite une approche multidisciplinaire.

Use of academic prefixes 'multi-'.

One must distinguish between a clinical prognosis and a statistical one.

Il faut distinguer un pronostic clinique d'un pronostic statistique.

Pronoun 'one' used to avoid repetition.

The prognosis for the treaty's success is mired in geopolitical strife.

Le pronostic de succès du traité est embourbé dans les conflits géopolitiques.

Metaphorical use of 'mired in'.

Her prognosis of the cultural shift was remarkably prescient.

Son pronostic sur le changement culturel était remarquablement prémonitoire.

Adverb 'remarkably' with adjective 'prescient'.

The prognosis for recovery is hampered by the lack of local resources.

Le pronostic de rétablissement est entravé par le manque de ressources locales.

Passive voice 'is hampered by'.

Scholars have offered various prognoses for the future of democracy.

Les chercheurs ont proposé divers pronostics pour l'avenir de la démocratie.

Present perfect with 'various' and plural 'prognoses'.

Synonyms

outlook forecast prediction prospect projection expectation

Antonyms

retrospect history review

Common Collocations

favorable prognosis

poor prognosis

economic prognosis

guarded prognosis

long-term prognosis

bleak prognosis

clinical prognosis

grim prognosis

optimistic prognosis

prognosis for recovery

Common Phrases

offer a prognosis

— To provide an expert prediction about a situation.

The consultant was asked to offer a prognosis for the merger.

uncertain prognosis

— When the future outcome is not clear or could go either way.

The patient's condition is stable, but the prognosis remains uncertain.

give a prognosis

— The act of a professional telling someone their prediction.

The vet gave a prognosis of two weeks for the cat's recovery.

improve the prognosis

— To do something that makes the future outcome more likely to be positive.

New technology has helped to improve the prognosis for many patients.

dire prognosis

— An extremely bad or life-threatening prediction.

The scientist gave a dire prognosis for the melting glaciers.

prognosis is good

— A common way to say that everything will likely turn out well.

After the meeting, the prognosis is good for our new product.

guarded prognosis

— A prediction that is cautious and suggests the outcome is still in doubt.

The surgeon gave a guarded prognosis immediately after the operation.

statistical prognosis

— A prediction based on average numbers rather than individual cases.

The statistical prognosis for this type of business is only a 20% success rate.

short-term prognosis

— A prediction about what will happen in the very near future.

The short-term prognosis for the weather is sunny and warm.

overall prognosis

— The general or total prediction for a complex situation.

The overall prognosis for the project is that it will finish on time.

Often Confused With

prognosis vs diagnosis

Diagnosis identifies the illness now; prognosis predicts the future of the illness.

prognosis vs agnosis

Agnosis is the inability to process sensory information, while prognosis is a prediction.

prognosis vs forecast

Forecast is general; prognosis is usually about 'health' or 'recovery' of a person or system.

Idioms & Expressions

"the writing on the wall"

— A sign that something bad is going to happen in the future; a kind of informal prognosis.

When the CEO resigned, everyone saw the writing on the wall for the company.

informal

"cloud on the horizon"

— A sign of future trouble; a negative prognosis.

The only cloud on the horizon is the potential for a trade war.

neutral

"light at the end of the tunnel"

— A sign that a difficult situation is ending; a positive prognosis.

After months of therapy, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel.

neutral

"storm clouds gathering"

— Signs of a future disaster or conflict.

With the new tax laws, there are storm clouds gathering for small businesses.

literary

"look into a crystal ball"

— To try to predict the future (often used to say it's impossible to give a prognosis).

I can't look into a crystal ball and tell you where the stock market will be in a year.

informal

"in the cards"

— Likely to happen; a positive prognosis for an event.

A promotion is definitely in the cards for her this year.

informal

"ill omen"

— A bad sign for the future; a poor prognosis.

The failure of the first prototype was an ill omen for the project.

formal

"rosy future"

— A very positive prognosis for someone's life or career.

The young graduate has a rosy future ahead of him.

neutral

"dead in the water"

— A prognosis that something has no chance of succeeding.

The new law is dead in the water without the President's support.

informal

"on the horizon"

— Likely to happen soon; part of a prognosis.

Major changes are on the horizon for the education system.

neutral

Easily Confused

prognosis vs Diagnosis

They sound similar and are both medical terms.

Diagnosis is the 'what' (identifying the disease). Prognosis is the 'what next' (predicting the outcome). You diagnose a cold, then give a prognosis of recovery in a week.

The diagnosis was cancer, but fortunately, the prognosis was a full recovery.

prognosis vs Prophecy

Both involve predicting the future.

A prognosis is based on science and data. A prophecy is usually based on religion, magic, or intuition. Doctors give prognoses; oracles give prophecies.

The economic prognosis was based on data, not an ancient prophecy.

prognosis vs Projection

Both are used in business and finance.

A projection is usually a specific number or mathematical trend. A prognosis is a broader statement about the future health or success of something.

The sales projection was $1 million, but the overall prognosis for the company was still poor.

prognosis vs Presage

Both relate to future signs.

Presage is usually a verb meaning to be a sign of something. Prognosis is a noun that is the actual prediction itself.

The dark clouds presaged a storm, which confirmed the meteorologist's grim prognosis.

prognosis vs Premonition

Both are about knowing something before it happens.

A premonition is a feeling or 'hunch' that something (usually bad) will happen. A prognosis is a logical conclusion based on evidence.

She had a premonition of the crash, but the mechanic's prognosis was that the car was safe.

Sentence Patterns

The [Noun]'s prognosis is [Adjective].

The patient's prognosis is good.

There is a [Adjective] prognosis for [Noun].

There is a favorable prognosis for the new business.

[Subject] offered a [Adjective] prognosis of [Noun].

The analyst offered a bleak prognosis of the market.

The prognosis for [Noun] remains [Adjective] despite [Noun Phrase].

The prognosis for recovery remains guarded despite the successful surgery.

Given the [Adjective] variables, the [Adjective] prognosis is [Adjective].

Given the volatile variables, the multifaceted prognosis is increasingly complex.

What is the prognosis for [Noun] in the long term?

What is the prognosis for the economy in the long term?

The report's prognosis [Verb] with [Noun Phrase].

The report's prognosis aligns with current scientific consensus.

I hope the prognosis [Verb] soon.

I hope the prognosis improves soon.

Word Family

Nouns

prognosis (the prediction)

prognosticator (the person making the prediction)

prognostication (the act of predicting)

Verbs

prognosticate (to predict the future)

Adjectives

prognostic (relating to a prognosis)

gnosis

diagnostic

agnostic

cognition

recognize

How to Use It

frequency

Common in professional, medical, and academic English; rare in casual daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Using 'prognosis' when you mean 'diagnosis'. → The diagnosis is the flu.
You cannot say 'The prognosis is the flu' because the flu is the name of the illness, not the prediction of its future.
Saying 'prognosises' for the plural. → The prognoses are looking better.
The word follows Greek plural rules, so -is becomes -es.
Using 'prognosis' as a verb: 'I prognosis that...' → My prognosis is that...
Prognosis is a noun. Use 'predict' or 'forecast' if you need a verb, or 'prognosticate' if you want to be very formal.
Saying 'The prognosis of the patient' when you mean their recovery. → The prognosis for the patient.
While 'of' is used, 'for' is much more common when talking about the person who is sick.
Confusing 'prognosis' with 'progress'. → The patient is making good progress.
Progress is the actual improvement happening now. Prognosis is the prediction of future improvement.

Tips

Pair with Adjectives

Always use an adjective with prognosis. Saying 'He gave a prognosis' is okay, but 'He gave a *favorable* prognosis' is much more natural and informative.

The 'O' and 'I'

Remember the order of vowels: p-r-o-g-n-o-s-i-s. Two 'o's followed by an 'i'. Many people accidentally swap them.

Medical First

If you are unsure where to use it, stick to medical contexts first. It is the most common and accepted use of the word.

Plural Pronunciation

When saying 'prognoses', make sure the last syllable sounds like 'sees' (as in 'he sees'). This distinguishes it from the singular.

Sound Professional

Use 'prognosis' in business reports to describe the long-term outlook of a project. It sounds more researched than 'guess'.

Pro = Before

Associate 'Pro' with 'Before'. A prognosis is knowledge you have *before* the final outcome is reached.

Pro vs Dia

Remember: Diagnosis (Dia = through/thorough) is knowing the problem now. Prognosis (Pro = before) is knowing the future.

Passive Voice

In formal writing, 'The prognosis was given' or 'A prognosis was issued' is very common. Use passive voice for a more objective tone.

Related Words

Learning 'prognosticator' (the person) and 'prognosticate' (the verb) will help you understand the whole word family.

Ask Questions

In a role-play, ask 'What is the prognosis for this situation?' to practice the word in a natural flow.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Pro' (professional) who 'Knows' (gnosis) what will happen. A professional knows the prognosis.

Visual Association

Imagine a doctor looking at a crystal ball. Inside the ball, they see the patient walking and healthy in the future.

Word Web

Future Doctor Prediction Forecast Recovery Outcome Health Data

Challenge

Try to use the word 'prognosis' in a sentence about your favorite sports team's chances next season. Then, use it about your own career goals.

Word Origin

From the Ancient Greek word 'prognōsis' (πρόγνωσις), meaning 'foreknowledge'. It entered Late Latin as 'prognosis' and then into English in the 17th century.

Original meaning: Knowledge of a situation before it happens, specifically the foretelling of the course of a disease.

Indo-European (Greek branch).

Cultural Context

Be careful when giving a 'poor prognosis' in social situations; it can sound very negative or fatalistic.

In English-speaking hospitals, 'informed consent' requires a doctor to give an honest prognosis, even if it is bad.

The phrase 'What's the prognosis, doc?' is a common trope in Hollywood movies. Financial reports from the World Bank often use 'prognosis' to describe global stability. The medical show 'House M.D.' frequently features characters debating different prognoses.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Healthcare

What is the prognosis for recovery?
The prognosis is guarded.
A favorable prognosis is expected.
The patient's prognosis has improved.

Finance

The economic prognosis is bleak.
Analysts offered a cautious prognosis.
Market prognosis for the next quarter.
A grim prognosis for the retail sector.

Environment

Prognosis for the coral reefs.
A dire prognosis for global temperatures.
Long-term prognosis for biodiversity.
Scientists provided a sobering prognosis.

Politics

Prognosis for the peace treaty.
The political prognosis is uncertain.
A positive prognosis for the new law.
The prognosis for regional stability.

Sports

Prognosis for the player's return.
A good prognosis for the knee injury.
The team's prognosis for the season.
Waiting for the medical prognosis.

Conversation Starters

"What is your prognosis for the future of artificial intelligence in our daily lives?"

"If a doctor gave you a poor prognosis, would you want to know all the details?"

"Do you think the economic prognosis for your country is better or worse than last year?"

"How often do you think the weather prognosis is actually correct?"

"What is the prognosis for your current work project? Are you on track?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you received a prognosis (medical or otherwise) that turned out to be wrong. How did it change your perspective?

Consider the prognosis for the environment in the next fifty years. What actions can we take to improve this outlook?

Imagine you are a financial analyst. Write a short prognosis for a fictional company that has just invented a teleportation device.

Reflect on your own life. What is your 'personal prognosis' for your career and happiness over the next decade?

Discuss why people are so obsessed with knowing the prognosis of a situation rather than just living in the moment.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Technically, you can, but it is very rare. Most people use 'forecast' for the weather. If you use 'prognosis' for weather, it sounds very formal or as if you are treating the weather like a patient or a complex biological system.

The plural is 'prognoses'. It is pronounced with a long 'e' sound at the end: prog-NOH-seez. This is because the word comes from Greek.

No, a prognosis can be 'excellent', 'favorable', or 'positive'. However, in medical contexts, people often ask for a prognosis when they are worried about a serious illness, so it can sometimes have a serious tone.

You can use it when discussing the future health of a project or the market. For example: 'Our prognosis for the Q3 sales is that they will remain steady despite the competition.' This makes you sound professional and data-driven.

No, 'prognosticate' is very formal and rarely used in daily conversation. Most people use the phrase 'give a prognosis' or simply 'predict' instead.

A 'guarded prognosis' is a medical term meaning the doctor is not sure what will happen. The patient's condition is stable for now, but things could still get worse. It is a very cautious way of saying 'we don't know yet'.

Yes, a prognosis is based on current data. If the patient's health improves or the market trends change, the expert will 'update' or 'revise' the prognosis.

Not exactly. The future is what will happen. A prognosis is a *prediction* or a *statement* about what is likely to happen. It is an opinion or analysis, not the future itself.

It is B2 because it is a specialized, formal word that is not used in basic daily English. To use it correctly, you need to understand specific contexts like medicine and finance, and you need to know how to use it with the right adjectives.

Yes, the adjective is 'prognostic'. For example, 'prognostic indicators' are signs that help a doctor make a prediction.