Is it grammatically correct to “predict” something from the past?





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For example, would "I predict how the Mayans lived for a daily living" be correct?










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    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



















up vote
0
down vote

favorite












For example, would "I predict how the Mayans lived for a daily living" be correct?










share|improve this question


















  • 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















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?










share|improve this question













For example, would "I predict how the Mayans lived for a daily living" be correct?







grammar word-choice






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asked Oct 28 at 17:31









Harper Lee

1




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










  • 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




    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












2 Answers
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0
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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.






share|improve this answer






























    up vote
    0
    down vote













    Predict:
    -(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. (cited from wiktionary)
    -As you may see 'future' is intrinsic to the definition of 'predict'.
    -You cannot predict the past. You can say 'I predicted that Germany would win the 2014 world cup'. Meaning your prediction turned out to be true. But as for your sentence I can speculate/speculated/can presume how mayans lived their daily lives'.
    -Paleontologists 'predict' the structure of a dinosaur skeletion when there aren't enough pieces available but that's not always how the dinosaur skeleton turns out to be.The skeletal structure has been already determined i.e when it was born,reached adulthood etc. Prediction can only be made about contemporary prospects of a furture outcome.Like how the skeletal structure of a certain dinosaur may turn out.
    -I think the correct verb would be either deduce/assume/presume/speculate etc synonyms to those in accordance to the context.






    share|improve this answer





















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      2 Answers
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      2 Answers
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      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.






      share|improve this answer



























        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.






        share|improve this answer

























          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.






          share|improve this answer














          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.







          share|improve this answer














          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer








          edited Oct 28 at 22:22

























          answered Oct 28 at 21:57









          Zebrafish

          8,56121332




          8,56121332
























              up vote
              0
              down vote













              Predict:
              -(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. (cited from wiktionary)
              -As you may see 'future' is intrinsic to the definition of 'predict'.
              -You cannot predict the past. You can say 'I predicted that Germany would win the 2014 world cup'. Meaning your prediction turned out to be true. But as for your sentence I can speculate/speculated/can presume how mayans lived their daily lives'.
              -Paleontologists 'predict' the structure of a dinosaur skeletion when there aren't enough pieces available but that's not always how the dinosaur skeleton turns out to be.The skeletal structure has been already determined i.e when it was born,reached adulthood etc. Prediction can only be made about contemporary prospects of a furture outcome.Like how the skeletal structure of a certain dinosaur may turn out.
              -I think the correct verb would be either deduce/assume/presume/speculate etc synonyms to those in accordance to the context.






              share|improve this answer

























                up vote
                0
                down vote













                Predict:
                -(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. (cited from wiktionary)
                -As you may see 'future' is intrinsic to the definition of 'predict'.
                -You cannot predict the past. You can say 'I predicted that Germany would win the 2014 world cup'. Meaning your prediction turned out to be true. But as for your sentence I can speculate/speculated/can presume how mayans lived their daily lives'.
                -Paleontologists 'predict' the structure of a dinosaur skeletion when there aren't enough pieces available but that's not always how the dinosaur skeleton turns out to be.The skeletal structure has been already determined i.e when it was born,reached adulthood etc. Prediction can only be made about contemporary prospects of a furture outcome.Like how the skeletal structure of a certain dinosaur may turn out.
                -I think the correct verb would be either deduce/assume/presume/speculate etc synonyms to those in accordance to the context.






                share|improve this answer























                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  0
                  down vote









                  Predict:
                  -(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. (cited from wiktionary)
                  -As you may see 'future' is intrinsic to the definition of 'predict'.
                  -You cannot predict the past. You can say 'I predicted that Germany would win the 2014 world cup'. Meaning your prediction turned out to be true. But as for your sentence I can speculate/speculated/can presume how mayans lived their daily lives'.
                  -Paleontologists 'predict' the structure of a dinosaur skeletion when there aren't enough pieces available but that's not always how the dinosaur skeleton turns out to be.The skeletal structure has been already determined i.e when it was born,reached adulthood etc. Prediction can only be made about contemporary prospects of a furture outcome.Like how the skeletal structure of a certain dinosaur may turn out.
                  -I think the correct verb would be either deduce/assume/presume/speculate etc synonyms to those in accordance to the context.






                  share|improve this answer












                  Predict:
                  -(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. (cited from wiktionary)
                  -As you may see 'future' is intrinsic to the definition of 'predict'.
                  -You cannot predict the past. You can say 'I predicted that Germany would win the 2014 world cup'. Meaning your prediction turned out to be true. But as for your sentence I can speculate/speculated/can presume how mayans lived their daily lives'.
                  -Paleontologists 'predict' the structure of a dinosaur skeletion when there aren't enough pieces available but that's not always how the dinosaur skeleton turns out to be.The skeletal structure has been already determined i.e when it was born,reached adulthood etc. Prediction can only be made about contemporary prospects of a furture outcome.Like how the skeletal structure of a certain dinosaur may turn out.
                  -I think the correct verb would be either deduce/assume/presume/speculate etc synonyms to those in accordance to the context.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered Nov 28 at 7:05









                  Specter

                  1007




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