predictable
/prɪˈdɪktəbl/ (bre, ipa) · /prɪˈdɪktəbl/ (ame, ipa) · /pri-ˈdik-tə-bəl/ (ame, mw)
predictable — 形容詞
- predictablepositive
- more predictablecomparative
- most predictablesuperlative
1. able to be worked out before it happens, because the signs already show what the
可預料的
事前能推知結果或時間
able to be worked out before it happens, because the signs already show what the result, time, or next step will be.
The bus timetable is predictable, so Nina leaves home at 7:10 each morning.
公車時刻很固定，所以 Nina 每天早上七點十分出門。
predictable timetable / timing
Given the dark clouds, it was predictable that the match would stop early.
看著那些烏雲，就能預料這場比賽會提早停止。
it is predictable that-clause
By noon, the shop's bread sales were predictable from the school lunch break.
到了中午，店裡麵包的銷量已經能從學校午休時間看出規律。
With these clear rules, the game's ending feels more predictable to new players.
規則這麼清楚，對新玩家來說，遊戲結局就比較可預料。
After three dry months, the river's level became sadly predictable.
連續三個乾月後，河水水位的變化變得令人難過地容易預料。
- expected
common when something seems likely from the situation; less focused on reading clear signs.
- foreseeable
more formal and often used for future problems, changes, or legal responsibility.
- regular
stresses repeated pattern or timing, not simply the ability to guess in advance.
- unpredictable
direct opposite when the result or timing cannot be guessed.
- uncertain
weaker opposite, used when the outcome is still unclear.
- random
stronger opposite, suggesting there is no clear pattern at all.
文法句型
it is predictable that ...
be predictable from sth
predictable result / pattern / timing
用法筆記
Often used for events, results, prices, weather, or behaviour when there are signs already in view. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense can be neutral or even useful, while sense 2 usually criticizes something for lacking freshness.
常見錯誤
2. so expected that it feels dull, with nothing fresh, clever, or surprising about
老套的
因太好猜而缺乏新意
so expected that it feels dull, with nothing fresh, clever, or surprising about it.
The film's ending was predictable, and half the class guessed it early.
那部電影的結局很老套，班上一半的人很早就猜到了。
predictable ending
Jake gave the same predictable excuse about traffic and a dead phone.
Jake 又拿塞車和手機沒電當那種老套的藉口。
predictable excuse
Her birthday post looked pretty, but the message felt predictable.
她的生日貼文很好看，但內容讓人覺得有點老套。
Everyone laughed politely, though the comedian's final joke was predictable.
大家還是禮貌地笑了，但那位喜劇演員最後的笑話很老套。
In the debate, the mayor offered predictable answers and avoided every hard question.
辯論時，市長給出老套的回答，還避開了每個難題。
- formulaic
used especially for stories, speeches, and writing that follow a set pattern.
- cliched
stronger and more negative, suggesting overused ideas or language.
- unoriginal
general word for lacking new ideas.
- fresh
suggests a new and lively idea or style.
- original
not copied, overused, or too easy to guess.
- unexpected
focuses on surprise rather than creative quality.
文法句型
predictable ending / excuse / answer
be predictable
用法筆記
Usually carries criticism and is common with stories, jokes, answers, excuses, and public behaviour. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 only says you can know something beforehand, while this sense adds the idea that the thing is dull or uninteresting.