The verb to foresee · Conjugation
Past Simple of foresee
The answer: foresaw
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to foresee is foresaw.
Example: No one foresaw the crisis.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | foresaw |
| You | foresaw |
| He / She / It | foresaw |
| We | foresaw |
| You (pl.) | foresaw |
| They | foresaw |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Foresee → foresaw → foreseen
It is the same pattern as see → saw → seen. Just add fore at the start: never foreseed.
2. Foreseeable
Foreseeable is the adjective from foresee: something you can foresee. In the foreseeable future means in the time we can imagine now.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of foresee?+
Foresaw. It follows see → saw (foresee = fore + see).
What is the foreseeable future?+
In the foreseeable future means in the time we can imagine now. It is a common expression at work and in official texts: The shop will stay open for the foreseeable future.
What is the difference between foresee and predict?+
Foresee = to see that something will happen, often from a feeling or from experience. Predict = to say what will happen, often from facts or data: Scientists predict a hot summer.
What are unforeseen circumstances?+
Unforeseen circumstances are things that nobody expected. It is a formal phrase to explain why something is cancelled or late.
Is foreseed correct?+
No. Foresee = fore + see, and it follows see (irregular): foresaw / foreseen.
Related pages: foresee Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/foresee/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
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More forms of the verb to foresee are coming soon.