Prevoir vs Organiser/planifier

Gary B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Prevoir vs Organiser/planifier

Why "prevoir" for "nous avons prévu d'aller..." instead of "nous avons organisé (or planifié)?

I understand "prevoir " to mean "foresee" , but if she made plans then it would seem to me organisé or planifié would be more accurate.  Thanks.


Asked 1 year ago
Maarten K.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor Correct answer
Prévoir has broader meaning than you previously thought - the teaching value of listening to (and of reading) lots of native spoken French !

 

It also can carry the meaning of more than just 'intending' - also of having made the appropriate preparations, reservations, etc. This doesn't mean that planifier or organiser, or other words couldn't have been used here instead:

https://www.larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais/pr%C3%A9voir/63883 

https://dictionnaire.lerobert.com/definition/prevoir

https://www.dictionnaire-academie.fr/article/A9P4272

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

the verb prévoir can mean many things, among which is also "to plan". I suggest you refer to a decent online dictionary.

Tom A.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

I agree with you in thinking of prévoir as usually synonymous with 'foresee'. But I usually find these equivalences aren't strict and I see in Larousse that prévoir is defined as various kinds of thinking-in-advance. Perhaps 'envisage' is sometimes a good alternative translation for this word.

Gary B.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

THanks for all your comments.  Very helpful!

Prevoir vs Organiser/planifier

Why "prevoir" for "nous avons prévu d'aller..." instead of "nous avons organisé (or planifié)?

I understand "prevoir " to mean "foresee" , but if she made plans then it would seem to me organisé or planifié would be more accurate.  Thanks.


Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Clever stuff happening!