Fortell vs. Foretell — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 4, 2024
"Fortell" is incorrect; the correct spelling is "foretell," meaning to predict or tell about a future event.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Fortell or Foretell
How to spell Foretell?
Fortell
Incorrect Spelling
Foretell
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Recall that "foretell" has the same 'fore' as "forecast" and "foresee."
Associate "foretell" with "foreword," both starting with 'fore,' meaning before.
Think of "fore" as in "before" to remember that it's about predicting the future.
"Foretell" contains 'fore,' just like "forefront" and "foremost," indicating something ahead.
Remember, "foretell" sounds like "before tell," not "fort tell."
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How Do You Spell Foretell Correctly?
Incorrect: Many believe that dreams can fortell important messages about our lives.
Correct: Many believe that dreams can foretell important messages about our lives.
Incorrect: Can you fortell who will win the election next year?
Correct: Can you foretell who will win the election next year?
Incorrect: The psychic claimed she could fortell the future with her crystal ball.
Correct: The psychic claimed she could foretell the future with her crystal ball.
Incorrect: She thought she could fortell the weather by observing the sky.
Correct: She thought she could foretell the weather by observing the sky.
Incorrect: He tried to fortell the outcomes of the game, but he was always off.
Correct: He tried to foretell the outcomes of the game, but he was always off.
Foretell Definitions
To indicate beforehand; to give a prior indication of what is to come.
Dark clouds foretell a storm.
To warn or inform about a future occurrence.
Ancient oracles were believed to foretell destiny.
To serve as an early indication or version of something later.
The sudden change in weather seemed to foretell a harsh winter.
To predict or tell about a future event based on insight or understanding.
The prophet could foretell future events with startling accuracy.
To prophesy or declare in advance.
The economist managed to foretell the financial crisis.
To tell of or indicate beforehand; predict.
(ambitransitive) To predict; to tell (the future) before it occurs; to prophesy.
(transitive) To tell (a person) of the future.
To predict; to tell before occurence; to prophesy; to foreshow.
Deeds then undone my faithful tongue foretold.
Prodigies, foretelling the future eminence and luster of his character.
To utter predictions.
Foreshadow or presage
Make a prediction about; tell in advance;
Call the outcome of an election
Indicate by signs;
These signs bode bad news
Foretell Meaning in a Sentence
Some people think that a groundhog seeing its shadow can foretell the length of winter.
Economists attempt to foretell market trends to advise investors.
Ancient oracles were believed to foretell the future through rituals and signs.
The fortune teller claimed she could foretell a person's destiny by reading their palm.
He had a dream that seemed to foretell his journey's success.
Historians study the past to understand how it might foretell future events.
The appearance of a comet in the sky was once thought to foretell significant events.
The sudden change in weather patterns could foretell a coming storm.
The prophecy was said to foretell the rise and fall of empires.
The fluctuation in stock prices can sometimes foretell an economic downturn.
The alignment of the stars was once used to foretell a person's fate.
The sudden silence of wildlife in the area could foretell an approaching predator.
Prophets in the Bible were said to foretell the coming of the Messiah.
The pattern of bird migrations is studied to foretell changes in seasons.
The breaking of a mirror is a superstition believed to foretell seven years of bad luck.
An uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach seemed to foretell bad news.
Many cultures have myths that foretell the coming of a hero in times of great need.
The blossoming of certain flowers is used to foretell the arrival of spring.
The heavy clouds in the morning sky seemed to foretell a day of rain.
The ancient text was believed to foretell the end of the world.
The rapid growth of technology could foretell significant changes in how we live.
The abrupt departure of birds from a region can foretell environmental changes.
In literature, a character's dreams often foretell events that will happen later in the story.
Scientists use models to foretell the effects of climate change on the planet.
He received a mysterious letter that seemed to foretell an unexpected inheritance.
Foretell Idioms & Phrases
As the stars foretell
Determined by destiny or the supposed influence of the stars.
Their meeting was as the stars foretell, utterly inevitable and fated.
Foretell the future
To predict what will happen in the future.
She visited the fortune teller to have her future foretold.
Foretell doom
To predict disaster or misfortune.
The ancient prophecy foretold doom for the kingdom should the heir not claim the throne.
Foretell with certainty
To predict something with confidence.
The scientist could foretell with certainty the eclipse's exact time and location.
Foretell a change
To predict that something different will happen.
The shifting winds foretell a change in the weather.
Common Curiosities
Why is it called foretell?
It's called foretell because it's about telling or predicting events before they happen.
What is the verb form of foretell?
The verb form is "foretell."
What is the root word of foretell?
The root words are "fore," meaning before, and "tell," meaning to narrate or predict.
What is the pronunciation of foretell?
Foretell is pronounced as /fɔːrˈtel/.
Which vowel is used before foretell?
Typically, 'a' is used before foretell.
What is the plural form of foretell?
Foretell is a verb; it doesn't have a plural form.
What is the singular form of foretell?
The singular form is "foretell."
Which article is used with foretell?
The article "to" is used with foretell in infinitive form.
Is foretell an abstract noun?
Foretell is a verb, not a noun.
Is foretell a countable noun?
Foretell is not a noun; it's a verb.
Which conjunction is used with foretell?
Conjunctions like "and" or "but" are often used with foretell.
Is foretell a negative or positive word?
Foretell is neutral; it can be positive or negative depending on what is being predicted.
How do we divide foretell into syllables?
Foretell is divided as fore-tell.
What is the first form of foretell?
The first form (base form) is "foretell."
Which preposition is used with foretell?
Prepositions like "of" and "about" are commonly used with foretell.
Is foretell an adverb?
No, foretell is not an adverb.
Is foretell a vowel or consonant?
The term 'foretell' starts with a consonant letter 'f.'
Is the word foretell imperative?
Foretell can be used in the imperative mood when instructing to predict or warn.
Is the word foretell a Gerund?
Foretelling can be a gerund when used as a noun.
What is another term for foretell?
Another term for foretell is "predict" or "prophesy."
What is the opposite of foretell?
The opposite of foretell is "disregard" or "ignore."
Which determiner is used with foretell?
Determiners are not typically used directly with the verb foretell.
What is the third form of foretell?
The third form (past participle) is "foretold."
Is foretell a noun or adjective?
Foretell is a verb.
Is the foretell term a metaphor?
Foretell can be used metaphorically but is not a metaphor by itself.
Is the word “foretell” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Foretell is a verb and can have direct or indirect objects.
How many syllables are in foretell?
There are two syllables in foretell.
What is the stressed syllable in foretell?
The stressed syllable in foretell is 'tell.'
What part of speech is foretell?
Foretell is a verb.
How is foretell used in a sentence?
"The ancient seers were said to foretell the fate of kings and nations."
Is foretell a collective noun?
No, foretell is not a collective noun.
What is the second form of foretell?
The second form (past tense) is "foretold."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
