Is it grammatically correct to “predict” something from the past?
.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty{ margin-bottom:0;
}
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
For example, would "I predict how the Mayans lived for a daily living" be correct?
grammar word-choice
asked Oct 28 at 17:31
Harper Lee
1
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 43 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
For example, would "I predict how the Mayans lived for a daily living" be correct?
grammar word-choice
asked Oct 28 at 17:31
Harper Lee
1
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 43 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
1
This isn't a question of grammar; it's a question of semantics or more likely pragmatics. The sentence is grammatically fine. If you mean "would people see this usage as natural or problematic" ... well, I personally think predicting the unknown from the known is fine regardless of time period, but others may not, so you may prefer to play it safe and say "analyze" instead.
– Dan Bron
Oct 28 at 17:33
I see nothing wrong with it. You are merely predicting the confirmation of something you already suspect.
– WS2
Oct 28 at 17:45
1
Welcome to the site! This could be an interesting question. As you say, you cannot predict something that has already happened. But you can predict establishing the truth about something that happened in the past, if the establishing will happen in the future. So it depends on context. I think your question would benefit if you could provide more context for us.
– Cerberus
Oct 28 at 18:15
2
It seems like it was figured out (inferred or deduced) instead of predicted, IMO, as it is.
– KannE
Oct 28 at 18:52
You can predict that you’d find (future) a particular characteristic about the past.
– Lawrence
Oct 29 at 1:24
|
show 2 more comments
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
For example, would "I predict how the Mayans lived for a daily living" be correct?
grammar word-choice
asked Oct 28 at 17:31
Harper Lee
1
For example, would "I predict how the Mayans lived for a daily living" be correct?
grammar word-choice
grammar word-choice
asked Oct 28 at 17:31
Harper Lee
1
asked Oct 28 at 17:31
Harper Lee
1
asked Oct 28 at 17:31
Harper Lee
1
asked Oct 28 at 17:31
Harper Lee
1
asked Oct 28 at 17:31
Harper Lee
1
1
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 43 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 43 mins ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
1
This isn't a question of grammar; it's a question of semantics or more likely pragmatics. The sentence is grammatically fine. If you mean "would people see this usage as natural or problematic" ... well, I personally think predicting the unknown from the known is fine regardless of time period, but others may not, so you may prefer to play it safe and say "analyze" instead.
– Dan Bron
Oct 28 at 17:33
I see nothing wrong with it. You are merely predicting the confirmation of something you already suspect.
– WS2
Oct 28 at 17:45
1
Welcome to the site! This could be an interesting question. As you say, you cannot predict something that has already happened. But you can predict establishing the truth about something that happened in the past, if the establishing will happen in the future. So it depends on context. I think your question would benefit if you could provide more context for us.
– Cerberus
Oct 28 at 18:15
2
It seems like it was figured out (inferred or deduced) instead of predicted, IMO, as it is.
– KannE
Oct 28 at 18:52
You can predict that you’d find (future) a particular characteristic about the past.
– Lawrence
Oct 29 at 1:24
|
show 2 more comments
1
This isn't a question of grammar; it's a question of semantics or more likely pragmatics. The sentence is grammatically fine. If you mean "would people see this usage as natural or problematic" ... well, I personally think predicting the unknown from the known is fine regardless of time period, but others may not, so you may prefer to play it safe and say "analyze" instead.
– Dan Bron
Oct 28 at 17:33
I see nothing wrong with it. You are merely predicting the confirmation of something you already suspect.
– WS2
Oct 28 at 17:45
1
Welcome to the site! This could be an interesting question. As you say, you cannot predict something that has already happened. But you can predict establishing the truth about something that happened in the past, if the establishing will happen in the future. So it depends on context. I think your question would benefit if you could provide more context for us.
– Cerberus
Oct 28 at 18:15
2
It seems like it was figured out (inferred or deduced) instead of predicted, IMO, as it is.
– KannE
Oct 28 at 18:52
You can predict that you’d find (future) a particular characteristic about the past.
– Lawrence
Oct 29 at 1:24
1
1
This isn't a question of grammar; it's a question of semantics or more likely pragmatics. The sentence is grammatically fine. If you mean "would people see this usage as natural or problematic" ... well, I personally think predicting the unknown from the known is fine regardless of time period, but others may not, so you may prefer to play it safe and say "analyze" instead.
– Dan Bron
Oct 28 at 17:33
This isn't a question of grammar; it's a question of semantics or more likely pragmatics. The sentence is grammatically fine. If you mean "would people see this usage as natural or problematic" ... well, I personally think predicting the unknown from the known is fine regardless of time period, but others may not, so you may prefer to play it safe and say "analyze" instead.
– Dan Bron
Oct 28 at 17:33
I see nothing wrong with it. You are merely predicting the confirmation of something you already suspect.
– WS2
Oct 28 at 17:45
I see nothing wrong with it. You are merely predicting the confirmation of something you already suspect.
– WS2
Oct 28 at 17:45
1
1
Welcome to the site! This could be an interesting question. As you say, you cannot predict something that has already happened. But you can predict establishing the truth about something that happened in the past, if the establishing will happen in the future. So it depends on context. I think your question would benefit if you could provide more context for us.
– Cerberus
Oct 28 at 18:15
Welcome to the site! This could be an interesting question. As you say, you cannot predict something that has already happened. But you can predict establishing the truth about something that happened in the past, if the establishing will happen in the future. So it depends on context. I think your question would benefit if you could provide more context for us.
– Cerberus
Oct 28 at 18:15
2
2
It seems like it was figured out (inferred or deduced) instead of predicted, IMO, as it is.
– KannE
Oct 28 at 18:52
It seems like it was figured out (inferred or deduced) instead of predicted, IMO, as it is.
– KannE
Oct 28 at 18:52
You can predict that you’d find (future) a particular characteristic about the past.
– Lawrence
Oct 29 at 1:24
You can predict that you’d find (future) a particular characteristic about the past.
– Lawrence
Oct 29 at 1:24
|
show 2 more comments
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
I'm pretty liberal with the use of words, but you can see from the following definitions that the word "predict" doesn't quite fit what you're saying, that is, if I understand your question correctly.
v.tr. To state, tell about, or make known in advance, especially on
the basis of special knowledge
v.intr. To foretell something.
American Heritage Dictionary
vb (tr; may take a clause as object) to state or make a declaration
about in advance, esp on a reasoned basis; foretell
Collins English
Dictionary
v.t.
1. to declare or tell in advance; foretell.
v.i.
2. to foretell the future; make a prediction.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary
: to declare or indicate in advance especially : foretell on the basis
of observation, experience, or scientific reason
Merriam-Webster
Dictionary
verb
to say that an event or action will happen in the future,
especially as a result of knowledge or experience:
Cambridge
Dictionary
verb
[with object]
Say or estimate that (a specified thing)
will happen in the future or will be a consequence of something.
Oxford Living Dictionaries
verb [transitive]
to say what you think will happen in the
future
Macmillan Dictionary
(transitive) To make a prediction: to forecast, foretell, or estimate
a future event on the basis of knowledge and reasoning; to prophesy a
future event on the basis of mystical knowledge or power.
Wiktionary
A prediction (Latin præ-, "before," and dicere, "to say"), or
forecast, is a statement about a future event.
Wikipedia article on prediction
For perspective from answers already answering this question, I provide this Quora link, Is it possible to predict the past
There are search results for "predict the past", I'm unsure what to make of these. Some are phrases like "it's impossible to predict the past" or "predict" is in what are called scare quotes, which shows the writer wishes to draw attention to the word as possibly a misuse. However there seem to many genuine positive results.
For example there is an article on New Scientist magazine online that uses it:
The validity of models can be tested against climate history. If they
can predict the past (which the best models are pretty good at) they
are probably on the right track for predicting the future – and indeed
have successfully done so.
Climate myths: We can’t trust computer models
I would personally use a word like "infer" or "theorise" to describe your hypothesis of how the Maya lived in the past. The word "hypothesise" itself would also fit.
Also an important point, see the first comment to your question by DanBron about the difference between grammar and semantics.
answered Oct 28 at 21:57
Zebrafish
8,54621332
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
I'm pretty liberal with the use of words, but you can see from the following definitions that the word "predict" doesn't quite fit what you're saying, that is, if I understand your question correctly.
v.tr. To state, tell about, or make known in advance, especially on
the basis of special knowledge
v.intr. To foretell something.
American Heritage Dictionary
vb (tr; may take a clause as object) to state or make a declaration
about in advance, esp on a reasoned basis; foretell
Collins English
Dictionary
v.t.
1. to declare or tell in advance; foretell.
v.i.
2. to foretell the future; make a prediction.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary
: to declare or indicate in advance especially : foretell on the basis
of observation, experience, or scientific reason
Merriam-Webster
Dictionary
verb
to say that an event or action will happen in the future,
especially as a result of knowledge or experience:
Cambridge
Dictionary
verb
[with object]
Say or estimate that (a specified thing)
will happen in the future or will be a consequence of something.
Oxford Living Dictionaries
verb [transitive]
to say what you think will happen in the
future
Macmillan Dictionary
(transitive) To make a prediction: to forecast, foretell, or estimate
a future event on the basis of knowledge and reasoning; to prophesy a
future event on the basis of mystical knowledge or power.
Wiktionary
A prediction (Latin præ-, "before," and dicere, "to say"), or
forecast, is a statement about a future event.
Wikipedia article on prediction
For perspective from answers already answering this question, I provide this Quora link, Is it possible to predict the past
There are search results for "predict the past", I'm unsure what to make of these. Some are phrases like "it's impossible to predict the past" or "predict" is in what are called scare quotes, which shows the writer wishes to draw attention to the word as possibly a misuse. However there seem to many genuine positive results.
For example there is an article on New Scientist magazine online that uses it:
The validity of models can be tested against climate history. If they
can predict the past (which the best models are pretty good at) they
are probably on the right track for predicting the future – and indeed
have successfully done so.
Climate myths: We can’t trust computer models
I would personally use a word like "infer" or "theorise" to describe your hypothesis of how the Maya lived in the past. The word "hypothesise" itself would also fit.
Also an important point, see the first comment to your question by DanBron about the difference between grammar and semantics.
answered Oct 28 at 21:57
Zebrafish
8,54621332
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
I'm pretty liberal with the use of words, but you can see from the following definitions that the word "predict" doesn't quite fit what you're saying, that is, if I understand your question correctly.
v.tr. To state, tell about, or make known in advance, especially on
the basis of special knowledge
v.intr. To foretell something.
American Heritage Dictionary
vb (tr; may take a clause as object) to state or make a declaration
about in advance, esp on a reasoned basis; foretell
Collins English
Dictionary
v.t.
1. to declare or tell in advance; foretell.
v.i.
2. to foretell the future; make a prediction.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary
: to declare or indicate in advance especially : foretell on the basis
of observation, experience, or scientific reason
Merriam-Webster
Dictionary
verb
to say that an event or action will happen in the future,
especially as a result of knowledge or experience:
Cambridge
Dictionary
verb
[with object]
Say or estimate that (a specified thing)
will happen in the future or will be a consequence of something.
Oxford Living Dictionaries
verb [transitive]
to say what you think will happen in the
future
Macmillan Dictionary
(transitive) To make a prediction: to forecast, foretell, or estimate
a future event on the basis of knowledge and reasoning; to prophesy a
future event on the basis of mystical knowledge or power.
Wiktionary
A prediction (Latin præ-, "before," and dicere, "to say"), or
forecast, is a statement about a future event.
Wikipedia article on prediction
For perspective from answers already answering this question, I provide this Quora link, Is it possible to predict the past
There are search results for "predict the past", I'm unsure what to make of these. Some are phrases like "it's impossible to predict the past" or "predict" is in what are called scare quotes, which shows the writer wishes to draw attention to the word as possibly a misuse. However there seem to many genuine positive results.
For example there is an article on New Scientist magazine online that uses it:
The validity of models can be tested against climate history. If they
can predict the past (which the best models are pretty good at) they
are probably on the right track for predicting the future – and indeed
have successfully done so.
Climate myths: We can’t trust computer models
I would personally use a word like "infer" or "theorise" to describe your hypothesis of how the Maya lived in the past. The word "hypothesise" itself would also fit.
Also an important point, see the first comment to your question by DanBron about the difference between grammar and semantics.
answered Oct 28 at 21:57
Zebrafish
8,54621332
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
I'm pretty liberal with the use of words, but you can see from the following definitions that the word "predict" doesn't quite fit what you're saying, that is, if I understand your question correctly.
v.tr. To state, tell about, or make known in advance, especially on
the basis of special knowledge
v.intr. To foretell something.
American Heritage Dictionary
vb (tr; may take a clause as object) to state or make a declaration
about in advance, esp on a reasoned basis; foretell
Collins English
Dictionary
v.t.
1. to declare or tell in advance; foretell.
v.i.
2. to foretell the future; make a prediction.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary
: to declare or indicate in advance especially : foretell on the basis
of observation, experience, or scientific reason
Merriam-Webster
Dictionary
verb
to say that an event or action will happen in the future,
especially as a result of knowledge or experience:
Cambridge
Dictionary
verb
[with object]
Say or estimate that (a specified thing)
will happen in the future or will be a consequence of something.
Oxford Living Dictionaries
verb [transitive]
to say what you think will happen in the
future
Macmillan Dictionary
(transitive) To make a prediction: to forecast, foretell, or estimate
a future event on the basis of knowledge and reasoning; to prophesy a
future event on the basis of mystical knowledge or power.
Wiktionary
A prediction (Latin præ-, "before," and dicere, "to say"), or
forecast, is a statement about a future event.
Wikipedia article on prediction
For perspective from answers already answering this question, I provide this Quora link, Is it possible to predict the past
There are search results for "predict the past", I'm unsure what to make of these. Some are phrases like "it's impossible to predict the past" or "predict" is in what are called scare quotes, which shows the writer wishes to draw attention to the word as possibly a misuse. However there seem to many genuine positive results.
For example there is an article on New Scientist magazine online that uses it:
The validity of models can be tested against climate history. If they
can predict the past (which the best models are pretty good at) they
are probably on the right track for predicting the future – and indeed
have successfully done so.
Climate myths: We can’t trust computer models
I would personally use a word like "infer" or "theorise" to describe your hypothesis of how the Maya lived in the past. The word "hypothesise" itself would also fit.
Also an important point, see the first comment to your question by DanBron about the difference between grammar and semantics.
answered Oct 28 at 21:57
Zebrafish
8,54621332
I'm pretty liberal with the use of words, but you can see from the following definitions that the word "predict" doesn't quite fit what you're saying, that is, if I understand your question correctly.
v.tr. To state, tell about, or make known in advance, especially on
the basis of special knowledge
v.intr. To foretell something.
American Heritage Dictionary
vb (tr; may take a clause as object) to state or make a declaration
about in advance, esp on a reasoned basis; foretell
Collins English
Dictionary
v.t.
1. to declare or tell in advance; foretell.
v.i.
2. to foretell the future; make a prediction.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary
: to declare or indicate in advance especially : foretell on the basis
of observation, experience, or scientific reason
Merriam-Webster
Dictionary
verb
to say that an event or action will happen in the future,
especially as a result of knowledge or experience:
Cambridge
Dictionary
verb
[with object]
Say or estimate that (a specified thing)
will happen in the future or will be a consequence of something.
Oxford Living Dictionaries
verb [transitive]
to say what you think will happen in the
future
Macmillan Dictionary
(transitive) To make a prediction: to forecast, foretell, or estimate
a future event on the basis of knowledge and reasoning; to prophesy a
future event on the basis of mystical knowledge or power.
Wiktionary
A prediction (Latin præ-, "before," and dicere, "to say"), or
forecast, is a statement about a future event.
Wikipedia article on prediction
For perspective from answers already answering this question, I provide this Quora link, Is it possible to predict the past
There are search results for "predict the past", I'm unsure what to make of these. Some are phrases like "it's impossible to predict the past" or "predict" is in what are called scare quotes, which shows the writer wishes to draw attention to the word as possibly a misuse. However there seem to many genuine positive results.
For example there is an article on New Scientist magazine online that uses it:
The validity of models can be tested against climate history. If they
can predict the past (which the best models are pretty good at) they
are probably on the right track for predicting the future – and indeed
have successfully done so.
Climate myths: We can’t trust computer models
I would personally use a word like "infer" or "theorise" to describe your hypothesis of how the Maya lived in the past. The word "hypothesise" itself would also fit.
Also an important point, see the first comment to your question by DanBron about the difference between grammar and semantics.
answered Oct 28 at 21:57
Zebrafish
8,54621332
edited Oct 28 at 22:22
answered Oct 28 at 21:57
Zebrafish
8,54621332
answered Oct 28 at 21:57
Zebrafish
8,54621332
answered Oct 28 at 21:57
Zebrafish
8,54621332
8,54621332
add a comment |
add a comment |
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fenglish.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f470515%2fis-it-grammatically-correct-to-predict-something-from-the-past%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
1
This isn't a question of grammar; it's a question of semantics or more likely pragmatics. The sentence is grammatically fine. If you mean "would people see this usage as natural or problematic" ... well, I personally think predicting the unknown from the known is fine regardless of time period, but others may not, so you may prefer to play it safe and say "analyze" instead.
– Dan Bron
Oct 28 at 17:33
I see nothing wrong with it. You are merely predicting the confirmation of something you already suspect.
– WS2
Oct 28 at 17:45
1
Welcome to the site! This could be an interesting question. As you say, you cannot predict something that has already happened. But you can predict establishing the truth about something that happened in the past, if the establishing will happen in the future. So it depends on context. I think your question would benefit if you could provide more context for us.
– Cerberus
Oct 28 at 18:15
2
It seems like it was figured out (inferred or deduced) instead of predicted, IMO, as it is.
– KannE
Oct 28 at 18:52
You can predict that you’d find (future) a particular characteristic about the past.
– Lawrence
Oct 29 at 1:24