Fortelling vs. Foretelling — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 28, 2024
"Fortelling" is an incorrect spelling. The right spelling is "foretelling", which means predicting or indicating beforehand.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Fortelling or Foretelling
How to spell Foretelling?
Fortelling
Incorrect Spelling
Foretelling
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
"Fore" is also a prefix in words like "forecast" and "forewarn", all indicating events prior to them occurring.
Visualize a seer with a crystal ball, always looking "fore" or ahead, not "fort".
Think of "fore" as in "before." Foretelling is about telling something before it happens.
Remember, "foretelling" is similar to "foreseeing" – both are about looking or telling ahead.
The term "fortelling" lacks a recognizable prefix and doesn't carry the meaning of something beforehand.
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How Do You Spell Foretelling Correctly?
Incorrect: The ancient prophecy was fortelling the future.
Correct: The ancient prophecy was foretelling the future.
Incorrect: The fortune teller's fortelling was surprisingly accurate.
Correct: The fortune teller's foretelling was surprisingly accurate.
Incorrect: He believed in the power of dreams fortelling important events.
Correct: He believed in the power of dreams foretelling important events.
Incorrect: The signs were all there, fortelling the coming change.
Correct: The signs were all there, foretelling the coming change.
Incorrect: Many cultures have stories about seers fortelling the fate of heroes.
Correct: Many cultures have stories about seers foretelling the fate of heroes.
Foretelling Definitions
To tell of or indicate beforehand; predict.
An indication or sign of a future event.
Dark clouds are a foretelling of an approaching storm.
A warning or hint about something that will happen in the future.
Her dream was seen as a foretelling of the challenges ahead.
Prediction
Foretellings of doom
An omen or symbol with predictive value.
Birds flying south early were a foretelling of a harsh winter.
A statement made about the future
The act of predicting or prophesying a future event or outcome.
The old prophecy's foretelling came true.
Foretelling (verb): Present participle of foretell; to predict or describe a future event.
He is foretelling the results based on current trends.
Present participle of foretell
The art or gift of prophecy (or the pretense of prophecy) by supernatural means
Foretelling Meaning in a Sentence
Scientists are working on methods for foretelling volcanic eruptions to save lives.
The old legend was known for foretelling the rise and fall of kingdoms.
Ancient oracles were revered for their powers of foretelling.
Her dreams had a mysterious way of foretelling events that were yet to occur.
The sudden change in the animal's behavior was foretelling an imminent natural disaster.
The novel's storyline included a character with the gift of foretelling the future.
The economist made a career out of foretelling market trends.
He wrote a paper on the history of foretelling methods in different cultures.
Historical analysts study patterns in events, sometimes foretelling future occurrences.
Some people believe that certain birds appearing are a way of nature foretelling rain.
She had a strange premonition, foretelling trouble on their journey.
The foretelling of solar and lunar eclipses has been possible for centuries.
Many novels use the theme of foretelling to add mystery and intrigue.
Foretelling the weather accurately has always been a crucial part of agriculture.
In the play, the soothsayer's role is foretelling doom for the main character.
The prophecy foretelling the return of the king has been passed down through generations.
The sage's foretelling included both warnings and guidance for the people.
Foretelling the outcome of political elections has become a major industry.
The ancient manuscript contained cryptic messages foretelling future events.
Some cultures perform rituals aimed at foretelling the future.
He dismissed the old sailor's foretelling of a storm as mere superstition, only to regret it later.
Foretelling Idioms & Phrases
Foretelling the future
The act of predicting what will happen in the future.
The novel featured a character whose main power was foretelling the future, guiding her people through tough times.
Foretelling with accuracy
The ability to predict something correctly and precisely.
The meteorologist prided himself on foretelling with accuracy the arrival of the hurricane.
Foretelling the end
Predicting the conclusion or outcome of a situation.
The scholars debated the ancient texts, trying to understand the clues foretelling the end of their civilization.
Foretelling a prophecy
To predict or declare what will happen in the future, especially from divine inspiration.
The ancient texts spoke of a chosen one, foretelling a prophecy that would save the realm from darkness.
A foretelling dream
A dream that is believed to predict the future.
He was disturbed by a foretelling dream about a friend in danger and decided to warn him.
Foretelling doom
Predicting that something very bad is going to happen.
The prophet was known for foretelling doom for those who ignored the gods.
Foretelling fortunes
The practice of predicting aspects of a person's life, often through mystical means.
She visited the fair to have her fortune told, curious about the foretelling fortunes that awaited her.
Foretelling signs
Indicators or omens that suggest something is going to happen.
The farmers looked for foretelling signs in nature to predict the best time for planting their crops.
Foretelling disaster
Warning of a catastrophe before it occurs.
The environmental report was foretelling disaster if immediate action wasn't taken to reduce pollution.
Foretelling omens
Signs or phenomena regarded as heralding the future, especially signifying the advent of change.
To the ancient mariners, red skies at morning were foretelling omens of stormy seas ahead.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of Foretelling?
The verb form is "foretell."
Which vowel is used before Foretelling?
The letter "e" is used before "foretelling" when adding a prefix or suffix, as in "beforetelling."
Why is it called Foretelling?
It's called "foretelling" because it involves telling or predicting something "before" it happens, with "fore" meaning "before."
Which conjunction is used with Foretelling?
There isn't a specific conjunction exclusively used with "foretelling." It depends on the context.
What is the root word of Foretelling?
The root word is "tell."
What is the singular form of Foretelling?
The singular form is "foretelling."
Is Foretelling a negative or positive word?
Neutral. Its connotation depends on the context in which it's used.
What is the plural form of Foretelling?
The plural form is "foretellings."
Which preposition is used with Foretelling?
"Of" can be used, as in "foretelling of an event."
What is the pronunciation of Foretelling?
It is pronounced as /fɔːrˈtɛlɪŋ/.
Which article is used with Foretelling?
Both "a" and "the" can be used, depending on context.
Is Foretelling a countable noun?
Yes, you can have one foretelling or multiple foretellings.
Is Foretelling a noun or adjective?
"Foretelling" is primarily a noun but can also serve as an adjective in some contexts.
Is the word Foretelling is Gerund?
Yes, "foretelling" is the gerund form of the verb "foretell."
Is the word “Foretelling” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be either, depending on sentence construction.
What is the first form of Foretelling?
Foretell.
How many syllables are in Foretelling?
Three syllables.
What is another term for Foretelling?
Prediction.
What is the opposite of Foretelling?
There isn't a direct opposite, but "recollecting" might be considered an opposite in some contexts since it looks back instead of forward.
Which determiner is used with Foretelling?
Determiners like "a," "the," and "this" can be used, depending on the context.
Is Foretelling an adverb?
No, it is not an adverb.
Is Foretelling an abstract noun?
Yes, it's an abstract noun as it refers to an activity or concept rather than a physical object.
Is Foretelling a collective noun?
No, it is not a collective noun.
How do we divide Foretelling into syllables?
Fore-tell-ing.
Is the word Foretelling is imperative?
No, "foretelling" is not an imperative verb.
What part of speech is Foretelling?
It can be a noun or a verb (in its gerund form).
What is the second form of Foretelling?
Foretold.
Is Foretelling a vowel or consonant?
"Foretelling" is a word, not a single letter. It contains both vowels and consonants.
Is the Foretelling term a metaphor?
No, but it can be used metaphorically in some contexts.
What is a stressed syllable in Foretelling?
The second syllable, "tell," is stressed.
What is the third form of Foretelling?
Foretold.
How is Foretelling used in a sentence?
"The ancient scrolls contained a foretelling of the kingdom's fall."
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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.
