Can "foreshadow" be used in a positive context? I have seen "foreshadow" used in negative contexts, like, foreshadow a war/threat or other unpleasant things, can it be used with some positive things?

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kathy

Can "foreshadow" be used in a positive context? I have seen "foreshadow" used in negative contexts, like, foreshadow a war/threat or other unpleasant things, can it be used with some positive things? for example, "our boss' speech foreshadows a raise in our wage"? if not, what is the most proper word to be used here? Thanks!

Oct 30, 2015 2:52 AM

Answers · 6

Yes, it can be used in a positive context!! It sounds fine in that sentence, we just don't really use foreshadow" a lot in daily conversations. It's usually just used in English classes while reading books.

October 30, 2015

I can't think why you couldn't use it positively, although I would use "hinted at" for your boss' speech. Foreshadowed is more literary, more "high class" and not really used in conversation.

October 30, 2015

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