What is hindsight? - Learn English with Misterduncan

Here is an interesting word that we often use when we are looking back at a certain situation

or event that happened in the past.

It is often used when we are trying to work out the details of what occurred.

The word is hindsight.

The word hindsight refers to the action 

of viewing a past event from  an analytic point of view.

To look back at an event or situation that occurred in the past is hindsight.

Quite often this word is used when we are studying a moment of time when something happened

that created a problem or a negative situation that could have been avoided.

Hindsight often occurs after an accident or an event that could have been prevented.

All of the details of the accident are analysed with the aim of finding out what actually happened

and whether or not it could have been avoided.

An investigation will normally be carried out as each detail is carefully analysed.

Quite often the event will be reconstructed, 

so as to give a clear idea  of what actually occurred

and how the accident happened…

and more importantly, how it could have been prevented.

This type of analysis is often  described as hindsight because we are 

literally looking at something  that happened in the past.

To look back at a certain  event in the past is hindsight.

The word itself literally means rear view.

The analysing of a past event.

Questions are normally asked when using hindsight.

What actually happened?

What went wrong?

Who is to blame?

How do we prevent it from happening again?

We often describe hindsight as a luxury.

This means that it is always easy to look back after the event has occurred.

You might say that it is a  comfortable position to be in.

It is easy to say that certain things should have been done.

Of course, the reality is they weren’t.

This is the reason why we often describe hindsight as a luxury.

It is something that is easy to do.

Anyone can look back and say how the thing should have been done differently.

We often use the word hindsight when investigating a terrible event.

Of course, the positive side of hindsight is that hopefully the bad event will never occur again.

we often say that there are lessons to be learnt from what happened.

So it would be fair to say that hindsight is not necessarily a bad thing.

In fact it can quite often be beneficial by helping others

and preventing future disasters from occurring.