foretell

IPA/fɔːˈtel/
KK[fɔrtˈɛl]IPA/fɔːrˈtel/

foretell — 動詞

  • foretellpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • foretellshe / she / it
  • foretoldpast simple
  • foretelling-ing form

1. to claim or work out, often through dreams, prophecy, or careful study, that a p

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

預言；預示

預先說出將會發生的事

to claim or work out, often through dreams, prophecy, or careful study, that a particular event will happen before it actually does.

例句

An old village seer foretold that a great storm would strike the harbour before dawn.

村裡一位年邁的先知預言，黎明前將有一場大風暴襲擊港口。

foretell + that-clause for prophetic statements

Aoi's grandmother claimed her tea leaves could foretell the outcome of any wedding.

Aoi 的奶奶聲稱她的茶葉能預言任何婚禮的結局。

foretell + noun phrase as object

常見搭配
  • foretell the future
  • foretell doom
  • foretell disaster
  • foretell the outcome
  • ability to foretell
同義詞
  • predict

    neutral, everyday word; based on data or reasoning rather than prophecy

  • prophesy

    stronger religious or mystical connotation than foretell

  • forecast

    based on systematic analysis, especially weather, economics, or trends

  • presage

    very formal; often used of signs or omens that hint at coming events

反義詞
  • recount

    to tell about past events rather than future ones

文法句型

foretell + noun

foretell + that-clause

foretell + wh-clause

用法筆記

Formal and literary register; in everyday English, 'predict' or 'forecast' is preferred. Subject is often a prophet, oracle, sign, or omen rather than an ordinary person making a logical guess.

常見錯誤

The weather report foretells rain tomorrow.
The weather report predicts rain tomorrow.
'foretell' suggests prophecy or mystical insight, not routine forecasting.
I foretold you this would happen.
I told you this would happen.' / 'I predicted this would happen.
'foretell' is not used in casual 'I told you so' contexts.

同根字

常見搭配

名詞搭配

副詞搭配

常用片語

  • the ability to foretell
  • as the prophet foretold
  • long foretold