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Prepositions after verbs

Forecast for vs forecast by

Forecast for is common when naming the subject or time of a prediction. Forecast by usually introduces the person or method making the prediction.

Quick answer

Which is correct: forecast for or forecast by?

Both can be correct in different meanings. Forecast for usually refers to the subject or period of the prediction, especially in weather reports. Forecast by identifies who made the forecast or the method used.

Rain is forecast for Friday.
The growth was forecast by several analysts.
Warm weather is forecast for the weekend.

Choose the pattern by meaning

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

1
forecast for + time or place

Describe what is predicted

Forecast for commonly introduces the time, region, or subject of a prediction.

Snow is forecast for the mountains.
Higher sales are forecast for next quarter.
2
forecast by + person or organisation

Name the source of the prediction

Forecast by identifies who made the prediction.

The slowdown was forecast by economists.
3
forecast by + method

Describe the method used

By can also introduce the method or system used for forecasting.

Demand was forecast by using historical data.

See the difference in context

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

Construction
Example
Meaning
forecast for
Thunderstorms are forecast for tonight.
prediction relating to a time or place
forecast by
The trend was forecast by market researchers.
identify the source of the prediction
forecast by
Sales were forecast by analysing past results.
show the method used

Common mistakes

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

Using by instead of for for weather periods

Use forecast for with dates, seasons, or places.

✕ Rain is forecast by tomorrow. ✓ Rain is forecast for tomorrow.

Confusing source and subject

For introduces what or when is predicted. By introduces who predicts it.

✕ The increase was forecast for analysts. ✓ The increase was forecast by analysts.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. Heavy rain is forecast ___ the evening.
2. The decline was forecast ___ several banks.
3. Strong winds are forecast ___ coastal areas.

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Frequently asked questions

Is forecast for mainly used in weather reports?

It is very common in weather reports, but it is also used in business and economics.

What does forecast by mean?

It usually names the person, organisation, or method responsible for the prediction.

Can both forecast for and forecast by appear in one sentence?

Yes. For example: Rain was forecast for Monday by the national weather service.

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