Explanation at your level:
To predict means to guess the future. If you see dark clouds, you can predict rain. You use your eyes and your brain to guess what happens next.
When you predict something, you say what you think will happen. For example, you can predict the score of a soccer game. It is a very useful word for talking about plans and possibilities.
The verb predict is used when we have some evidence for our guess. We often say, 'The weather report predicts rain.' It is more formal than 'guess' and implies that you have looked at information before speaking.
Using predict shows you are making a logical deduction. In professional settings, we often use it with adverbs like 'accurately' or 'reliably'. It is an essential term for discussing trends, statistics, and future outcomes.
Beyond simple guessing, predict in a C1 context often relates to complex systems or analytical forecasting. You might discuss the 'ability to predict market fluctuations' or 'predicting behavioral patterns.' It carries a nuance of precision and analytical rigor.
At the C2 level, predict can be used in more abstract or philosophical contexts. One might speak of the 'impossibility of predicting human nature' or the 'predictive power' of a scientific theory. It bridges the gap between simple foresight and profound intellectual assessment of causality.
30秒词汇
- Predict means to say what will happen.
- It is based on evidence or data.
- It is a regular verb.
- It is common in professional and daily life.
When you predict something, you are essentially looking into the future using the clues you have right now. Think of a meteorologist looking at satellite images to tell you if you need an umbrella tomorrow; that is a classic prediction.
It is not just about guessing randomly. To predict, you need a basis for your thought—like past experiences or evidence. It is a powerful word used in everything from casual chats about sports to serious academic research in economics or physics.
The word predict comes from the Latin word praedicere. This is a combination of prae- (meaning 'before') and dicere (meaning 'to say'). So, literally, it means 'to say beforehand.'
It entered the English language in the early 17th century. Interestingly, it shares the same root as words like dictation and dictionary. Throughout history, it has moved from formal, prophetic contexts into the scientific and casual language we use every day.
You use predict when you are fairly confident about an outcome. It is common to say 'experts predict' or 'scientists predict' when discussing trends or data.
In casual conversation, you might say, 'I predict this movie will be a hit!' It is a versatile verb that fits well in both professional reports and friendly arguments about who will win a game.
While 'predict' is a direct verb, we often use phrases to describe the act. Call it: 'I called it!' means you correctly predicted an outcome. See the future: 'He thinks he can see the future' implies someone is overly confident in their predictions. Read the tea leaves: This means trying to predict the future from vague signs. Crystal ball: 'I don't have a crystal ball' is a classic way to say you cannot know what will happen. Foresee the consequences: This is a more formal way of saying you predicted the result of an action.
Predict is a regular verb. Its forms are predict, predicts, predicted, and predicting. It is usually followed by a 'that' clause (e.g., 'I predict that it will rain').
The pronunciation is /prɪˈdɪkt/. The stress is on the second syllable. It rhymes with words like addict, evict, and conflict (when used as a verb).
Fun Fact
The root 'dicere' is the same root for 'dictionary'.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'pri-DIKT'
Sounds like 'pri-DIKT'
Common Errors
- Stressing the first syllable
- Dropping the 't' at the end
- Pronouncing 'di' as 'die'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
高级
Grammar to Know
Future Tense
I will predict.
Subordinate Clauses
I predict that...
Adverb Placement
Accurately predict.
Examples by Level
I predict rain.
I / guess / rain
Subject + verb + object
He predicts a win.
He / says / win
Third person singular 's'
They predict fun.
They / expect / fun
Simple present
We predict snow.
We / see / snow
Simple present
She predicts success.
She / thinks / success
Simple present
I predict a change.
I / expect / change
Simple present
They predict growth.
They / see / growth
Simple present
I predict a bus.
I / expect / bus
Simple present
I predict it will be cold.
Can you predict the winner?
Experts predict a busy day.
She predicted the ending of the book.
We cannot predict the future.
They predicted a long trip.
I predict a great year.
He predicted the traffic.
The scientists predicted a major storm.
It is hard to predict how he will react.
They predicted that prices would rise.
Nobody could have predicted this result.
The software predicts user behavior.
I predict a difficult meeting ahead.
She accurately predicted the outcome.
We predict a surge in demand.
The model predicts a significant shift in the market.
Analysts are struggling to predict the long-term effects.
He predicted that the project would fail early on.
It is almost impossible to predict the stock market.
The study predicts a rise in global temperatures.
She predicted a change in public opinion.
Can we really predict the impact of AI?
They predicted the trend months ago.
The algorithm is designed to predict consumer preferences.
Historians often try to predict the future by studying the past.
The outcome was exactly as the experts had predicted.
He predicted the collapse of the regime with uncanny accuracy.
Economic models failed to predict the severity of the crisis.
She predicted a paradigm shift in the industry.
It is folly to try to predict the whims of fate.
The report predicts a volatile period for the economy.
The predictive capacity of the theory remains a subject of debate.
One cannot predict the vagaries of human emotion.
The oracle was said to predict the rise and fall of empires.
The trajectory of the comet was predicted centuries ago.
His actions were entirely predictable, given his history.
The unpredictability of the situation defied all models.
She predicted the eventual obsolescence of the technology.
The data allows us to predict with high confidence.
常见搭配
Idioms & Expressions
"Crystal ball"
Used to say you cannot know the future.
I don't have a crystal ball!
casual"Call it"
To correctly predict an event.
I called it from the start.
casual"Read the tea leaves"
To look for signs of the future.
We are just reading the tea leaves.
idiomatic"See the writing on the wall"
To predict a bad outcome.
He saw the writing on the wall.
common"Hindsight is 20/20"
It is easy to predict the past.
Hindsight is 20/20, but we failed to predict it.
proverbial"Forewarned is forearmed"
If you predict danger, you can prepare.
Forewarned is forearmed.
proverbialEasily Confused
Both mean future.
Forecast is for weather/data.
Weather forecast vs predict rain.
Both look forward.
Expect is more personal.
I expect you to be on time.
Both are about future.
Guess has no data.
I guess it's raining.
Both are estimates.
Project is for numbers.
Project profits.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + predict + that + clause
I predict that it will snow.
Subject + predict + noun
They predict success.
Subject + accurately + predict + noun
She accurately predicted the win.
It + is + hard + to + predict
It is hard to predict the outcome.
Subject + predict + what + clause
I can't predict what will happen.
词族
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
相关
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
常见错误
Predict only refers to the future.
We don't 'predict someone', we predict an event.
Predict implies objective data.
Predictable means likely to happen.
It needs a clause to be clear.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a dictionary that tells the future.
Native Speakers
Used when discussing trends.
Cultural Insight
Used in sports betting.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follows with 'that' or a noun.
Say It Right
Stress the second syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for past events.
Did You Know?
Root is 'dicere'.
Study Smart
Write 5 predictions for tomorrow.
Word Family
Learn predict, prediction, predictable.
Contextual Use
Use it in professional emails.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Pre (before) + Dict (say) = Say before.
Visual Association
A weather person pointing at a map.
Word Web
挑战
Try to predict three things that will happen tomorrow.
词源
Latin
Original meaning: To say beforehand
文化背景
None
Used heavily in media, especially weather and finance.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Weather
- The forecast predicts rain
- Predicting a storm
- Hard to predict weather
Business
- Predicting growth
- Predicting revenue
- Predicting trends
Sports
- Predicting the winner
- Predicting the score
- Predicting the outcome
Daily life
- Predicting traffic
- Predicting results
- Predicting behavior
Conversation Starters
"What do you predict for the future of AI?"
"Can you predict who will win the next game?"
"Do you think it's possible to predict the weather accurately?"
"What would you predict about your life in five years?"
"Is it better to predict or to react?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you predicted something correctly.
What are three things you predict for next year?
Is it better to try to predict the future or live in the moment?
How does predicting help us in our daily lives?
常见问题
8 个问题No, predict implies using data.
No, only future.
Prediction.
Yes.
Predictable.
Yes, very.
Unpredictable.
pri-DIKT.
自我测试
I ___ that it will rain.
Predict fits the context of the future.
Which word means to say what will happen?
Predict is the correct term.
You can predict the past.
Predict only refers to the future.
Word
意思
Matches definition.
Subject + verb + future.
The ___ said it would be sunny.
We need a noun here.
Which is a synonym for predict?
Forecast is a synonym.
Predictable means surprising.
It means the opposite.
His behavior was entirely ___.
Adjective needed.
Adverb placement.
得分： /10
Summary
To predict is to use the present to understand the future.
- Predict means to say what will happen.
- It is based on evidence or data.
- It is a regular verb.
- It is common in professional and daily life.
Memory Palace
Imagine a dictionary that tells the future.
Native Speakers
Used when discussing trends.
Cultural Insight
Used in sports betting.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follows with 'that' or a noun.
例句
I predict it's going to rain later, so you should probably take an umbrella.
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