Prediction and Projection
2023-02-04
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1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about the difference between "projection" and "prediction."
2Hello,
3This is Mohammed from Libya.
4I would like to know the difference between "projection" and "prediction." How can I use them the right way?
5Thanks!
6Best regards,
7Mohammed
8Dear Mohammed,
9Thanks for writing to us.
10These two words are similar and are often used to describe guesses about the future, but they have some interesting differences.
11Let's start with "prediction."
12The word "prediction" is a noun meaning a statement about what will happen in the future.
13Because people make predictions, they may or may not happen.
14"Predictions" are often made for the near future.
15We often use this word's verb form, "predict," with events like the weather.
16For example, in the Science and Technology Report "Study:
17Exxon Scientists Predicted Global Warming since 1970s," the word "prediction" is used in the plural form to talk about the possibility of world temperature changes in the 1970s.
18"A new study says scientists at the oil company Exxon Mobile made accurate predictions about global warming starting in the 1970s."
19A study by Harvard University researchers said that the "predictions" made by scientists in the 1970s became true.
20That means they believed something would happen in the future, and it happened that way.
21Not only scientists make predictions about the weather.
22Groundhogs also make predictions. Groundhogs are large animals that live under ground.
23On February 2nd in the United States, several groundhogs including Punxsutawney Phil in the state of Pennsylvania and French Creek Freddie in West Virginia, wake up and "predict" the weather for spring.
24The activities around these "predictions" are cultural traditions rather than real weather forecasts.
25The tradition goes like this: If the groundhogs see their shadows, meaning that it is a sunny day with no clouds, the prediction is there will be six more weeks of winter.
26If they do not see their shadows, meaning that it is cloudy and there is no sun, the groundhogs' prediction is there will be an early spring.
27This year, Punxsutawney Phil's prediction is that there will not be an early spring because he did see his shadow.
28Let's move onto "projection."
29"Projection" is a noun. It has a similar meaning to "prediction," something that might happen in the future.
30But "projections" can change depending on the situation or conditions.
31"Projections" are created based on numbers and facts.
32But if that information changes, it is understood that the projection changes too.
33Projections are often made for longer periods.
34For example, in 2019, projections for children finishing secondary education programs by 2030 were only at 60 percent worldwide.
35That was only if conditions stayed the same.
36Since COVID-19 affected children's education, that projection has probably changed.
37Here is another example:
38Recently the United Nations reported a projection for the world's population increasing to 9.7 billion people by the year 2050.
39And here is one additional note: The word projection is often used to describe information in a form that can be seen, like a graph or chart.
40A prediction is a statement about the future, but, unlike a projection, it is not easily changed if the underlying conditions change.
41Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Mohammed!
42What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com
43And that's Ask a Teacher.
44I'm Faith Pirlo.
1Hello! This week on Ask a Teacher, we will answer a question about the difference between "projection" and "prediction." 2Question: 3Hello, 4This is Mohammed from Libya. I would like to know the difference between "projection" and "prediction." How can I use them the right way? 5Thanks! 6Best regards, 7Mohammed 8Answer 9Dear Mohammed, 10Thanks for writing to us. These two words are similar and are often used to describe guesses about the future, but they have some interesting differences. 11Let's start with "prediction." 12Prediction 13The word "prediction" is a noun meaning a statement about what will happen in the future. Because people make predictions, they may or may not happen. "Predictions" are often made for the near future. 14We often use this word's verb form, "predict," with events like the weather. 15For example, in the Science and Technology Report "Study: Exxon Scientists Predicted Global Warming since 1970s," the word "prediction" is used in the plural form to talk about the possibility of world temperature changes in the 1970s. 16"A new study says scientists at the oil company Exxon Mobile made accurate predictions about global warming starting in the 1970s." 17A study by Harvard University researchers said that the "predictions" made by scientists in the 1970s became true. That means they believed something would happen in the future, and it happened that way. 18Not only scientists make predictions about the weather. Groundhogs also make predictions. Groundhogs are large animals that live under ground. 19On February 2nd in the United States, several groundhogs including Punxsutawney Phil in the state of Pennsylvania and French Creek Freddie in West Virginia, wake up and "predict" the weather for spring. The activities around these "predictions" are cultural traditions rather than real weather forecasts. 20The tradition goes like this: If the groundhogs see their shadows, meaning that it is a sunny day with no clouds, the prediction is there will be six more weeks of winter. 21If they do not see their shadows, meaning that it is cloudy and there is no sun, the groundhogs' prediction is there will be an early spring. 22This year, Punxsutawney Phil's prediction is that there will not be an early spring because he did see his shadow. 23Let's move onto "projection." 24Projection 25"Projection" is a noun. It has a similar meaning to "prediction," something that might happen in the future. But "projections" can change depending on the situation or conditions. 26"Projections" are created based on numbers and facts. But if that information changes, it is understood that the projection changes too. Projections are often made for longer periods. 27For example, in 2019, projections for children finishing secondary education programs by 2030 were only at 60 percent worldwide. That was only if conditions stayed the same. 28Since COVID-19 affected children's education, that projection has probably changed. 29Here is another example: 30Recently the United Nations reported a projection for the world's population increasing to 9.7 billion people by the year 2050. 31And here is one additional note: The word projection is often used to describe information in a form that can be seen, like a graph or chart. A prediction is a statement about the future, but, unlike a projection, it is not easily changed if the underlying conditions change. 32Please let us know if these explanations and examples have helped you, Mohammed! 33What question do you have about American English? Send us an email at learningenglish@voanews.com 34And that's Ask a Teacher. 35I'm Faith Pirlo. 36Faith Pirlo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English. 37_______________________________________________________________ 38Words in This Story 39accurate -adj. free from mistakes or errors 40weather forecast - n. a statement saying what the weather will be like the next day or for the next few days 41shadow - n. an area of darkness created when a source of light is blocked