Meaning & use
prefiguring
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“prefiguring” is a form of “prefigure”.
Meanings
verbtransitiveformal
Suggesting or indicating something that will happen or exist later.
Grammar: The -ing form of 'prefigure'; it often follows 'be' to form a continuous tense: 'The riots were prefiguring a revolution.'
Patterns
- prefiguring something
- be prefiguring something
The early protests were prefiguring the larger movement that followed.
Her first novel is seen as prefiguring the themes she developed later.
These small changes in the economy may be prefiguring a deeper crisis.
verbtransitiveformal
Representing something beforehand, especially in art or literature.
Grammar: Used when an earlier work or image hints at a later person or event.
Patterns
- prefiguring someone/something
- be prefiguring someone/something
The painting is often interpreted as prefiguring the birth of Christ.
The character is prefiguring the modern detective in many ways.
Word forms
| third person singular | prefigures |
|---|---|
| past tense | prefigured |
| past participle | prefigured |
| -ing form | prefiguring |
Common combinations
- prefiguring a revolution
- The writer's early essays were prefiguring a revolution in thought.
- prefiguring the future
- Some scientists say these discoveries are prefiguring the future of medicine.
- be seen as prefiguring
- The movement is seen as prefiguring later democratic reforms.
Synonyms and how they differ
- foreshadowing
- More common in literary contexts and often suggests a warning or hint within a story.
- heralding
- Focuses on announcing something that is about to happen, often with a positive tone.
- presaging
- Stronger and more formal, often used for signs of something important or ominous.
Word family
- prefigure verb
- To suggest or represent something beforehand.
- prefiguration noun
- The act of prefiguring; an early sign or representation.
- prefigurative adjective
- Serving as an early sign or representation of something.
Commonly confused: prefiguring or preferring? prefiguring or configuring?
prefiguring vs preferring
Means liking one thing more than another; it sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.
prefiguring vs configuring
Means arranging or setting up something, especially computer settings; not related to predicting.
Practice
The early experiments were _____ a major breakthrough in physics.
Choose one answer.
'Prefiguring' fits because the experiments were an early sign of the breakthrough. 'Preferring' means liking one thing more, 'configuring' means setting up, and 'refiguring' means shaping again, so none fit the meaning of predicting.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “prefiguring”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.