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Preposition after adjective

predictable with different prepositions

Predictable is commonly used with from and to. Other prepositions usually introduce separate context information.

Quick answer

Which combinations are standard?

Predictable from means able to be predicted using evidence. Predictable to means unsurprising to someone. Predictable in and predictable with may appear in limited contexts. Predictable for is uncommon as a fixed pattern.

The outcome was predictable from the data.
His reaction was predictable to his friends.
Errors are predictable in large systems.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
predictable from + evidence

Able to be foreseen

From introduces the basis for prediction.

The trend is predictable from recent sales.
2
predictable to + person

Expected by someone

To introduces the person who finds something unsurprising.

The ending was predictable to experienced readers.
3
predictable in + context

Occurring regularly in a situation

In introduces the environment where something follows a pattern.

Delays are predictable in winter weather.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
predictable from
The result was predictable from the evidence.
foreseeable based on information
predictable to
Her response was predictable to her team.
unsurprising to someone
predictable in
Price changes are predictable in stable markets.
regular within a context
predictable with
Results are predictable with careful testing.
with introduces accompanying conditions, not a fixed pattern
predictable for
Demand is predictable for holiday periods.
for often relates to time or purpose rather than a fixed adjective pattern

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using for as the main complement

Predictable for is not the usual pattern for foreseeability.

✕ The outcome was predictable for the data. ✓ The outcome was predictable from the data.

Confusing to and from

To refers to the observer; from refers to the evidence.

✕ The ending was predictable from most viewers. ✓ The ending was predictable to most viewers.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The decline was predictable ___ the statistics.
2. His excuse was predictable ___ everyone.
3. Equipment failures are predictable ___ old factories.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the most common preposition with predictable?

From and to are the main standard combinations.

Can predictable be used with with?

Yes, but with usually introduces conditions rather than forming a fixed adjective pattern.

Is predictable for incorrect?

Not always, but for usually belongs to the wider sentence rather than directly to predictable.

packed-with-to-in-on, into "paid for" or "paid up"? painful for, to, in, at or of? "palatable to" or "palatable for"? "pale in" or "pale of"? "pandemic of" or "pandemic in"? "paramount to" or "paramount in"? paranoid about, of, in, with or over? partial to, of, in, towards or for? participating in, of, on, at or for? "particular about" or "particular to"? part-time at, in, for, as or with?

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