While both "foretell" and "predict" involve saying something about the future, there's a subtle difference in their usage. "Foretell" implies a more mystical or supernatural element; it often suggests a prophecy or a vision of the future. On the other hand, "predict" is more grounded in reason, logic, data, or scientific analysis. We use "predict" for future events we can reasonably estimate based on evidence.

Here are some example sentences to illustrate the difference:

• Foretell:

  • "The fortune teller foretold a great journey in my future." (The fortune teller predicted a great journey in my future. )
  • "Ancient prophecies foretold the coming of a great king." (Ancient prophecies predicted the coming of a great king.)

• Predict:

  • "Scientists predict that the Earth's temperature will continue to rise." (Scientists foresee that the Earth's temperature will continue to rise.)
  • "Based on the current trends, we can predict a strong economic growth next year." (Based on the current trends, we can foresee a strong economic growth next year.)

Notice that while both words can sometimes share similar meanings, "foretell" adds an element of the mysterious or supernatural which "predict" usually lacks. "Predict" is often more formal and implies a greater degree of certainty than "foretell" which often suggests a degree of uncertainty.

Happy learning!