In the near future

USAGE SUMMARY

"In the near future" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a time period in the immediate future. Example sentence: "I plan to take a vacation in the near future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In the near future, concepts of procreation will drastically change.

Huffington Post

In the near future we will consider three-dimensional simulations.

BioMed Research International

Any point in the near future!

The New York Times

This is unlikely in the near future.

The Economist

"Not in the near future anyway".

The New York Times - Sports

This not likely in the near future.

The Economist

any time in the near future.

The New York Times

It won't be in the near future.

The New York Times - Arts

Neither will it, in the near future.

The Guardian - Opinion

And her honeymoon in the near future.

The New York Times

"But it's not in the near future.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the formality of your context. While generally acceptable in most writing, more formal contexts might benefit from alternatives like "in the short term" or "in due course".

Common error

Avoid using "in the near future" excessively. Over-reliance on vague timeframes can make your writing sound less precise. Whenever possible, provide more specific details or deadlines to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the near future" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate when an action or event will occur. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the near future" is a common and grammatically sound way to indicate that something will happen relatively soon. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans across various contexts, with the most frequent occurrences in news and scientific domains. While versatile, it's important to be mindful of potential vagueness and to use it judiciously, especially where precision is paramount. Consider alternatives like "shortly" or "in the immediate future" when appropriate. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively integrate "in the near future" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the immediate future

Highlights the proximity of the event.

in the not-too-distant future

More emphatic, yet still vague.

in the short term

Emphasizes a limited time horizon.

shortly

Single word alternative with no preposition, less descriptive.

on the horizon

Metaphorical, suggesting something is becoming apparent.

coming soon

More informal, suggests anticipation.

before long

Implies a relatively quick passage of time.

in due course

More formal, implies an expected or scheduled time.

in the coming days

More specific time frame, limited to days.

in the offing

Idiomatic, suggesting something is likely to happen.

FAQs

What does "in the near future" mean?

The phrase "in the near future" refers to a period of time that is expected to occur relatively soon, without specifying an exact date or timeframe. It suggests that something will happen imminently.

How can I use "in the near future" in a sentence?

You can use "in the near future" to discuss plans, predictions, or expectations. For example: "I plan to take a vacation "in the near future"" or "We expect to release the updated software "in the near future"".

What are some alternatives to "in the near future"?

Some alternatives include "shortly", "coming soon", "in the short term", and "in the immediate future". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "in the near future" formal or informal?

"In the near future" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, alternatives like "in due course" or "in the short term" might be more appropriate.