a foreseeable future

USAGE SUMMARY

"a foreseeable future" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate the near future, or a future that can be predicted with reasonable accuracy. For example, "I am planning for a foreseeable future in which I can watch my children grow up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The thing I'm more worried about, in a foreseeable future, is not computers taking over the world.

MIT Technology Review

"We believe that city governments have begun to operate in what we call the new normal — that is, a foreseeable future of relatively flat budgets," Mr. Rubel said.

The New York Times

"We have crossed the threshold from an uncertain past to a foreseeable future," a radiant President Fujimori said at the signing of the accord in Brazil, whose President Fernando Henrique Cardoso had worked tirelessly to bring it about.

The Economist

Penned in 1992 and set in 2021, P.D. James's envisions a foreseeable future in which the human population has become infertile and an authoritative Warden of England retains order where anarchy could easily come to dominate.

Britannica

I agree, but the argument has one problem: when it comes to brain stimulation, there is a foreseeable future in which the neuroscience becomes enmeshed with the politics of security and war.

The Guardian

Myocardial tissue engineering is less advanced yet, but the dramatic progress in stem cell technologies made cardiac repair with engineered heart grafts a realistic option for patients with malformations and heart failure in a foreseeable future.

Principles of Tissue Engineering

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

I believe this point will be reached in a very foreseeable future.

The Guardian - Business

"I believe this point will be reached in a very foreseeable future," he added.

BBC

Grace has pledged $250,000 a year "for the foreseeable future" for a screening program in Libby and proposed a long-term health care plan.

The New York Times

A recent New York Times headline pointed to an equally gloomy foreseeable future, "Millions of Unemployed Face Years Without jobs".

Huffington Post

It will continue to burn at a meter a year for the foreseeable future.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a foreseeable future" when you want to emphasize that something is likely to happen based on current trends or conditions. For example, "In a foreseeable future, renewable energy will play a larger role in our economy."

Common error

Avoid using "a foreseeable future" when referring to events far into the distant future or when discussing purely speculative scenarios. It implies a degree of certainty or likelihood that may not exist in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foreseeable future" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an adverbial modifier to indicate a time frame that is likely to occur based on present conditions. This is supported by Ludwig, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a foreseeable future" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a time frame that can be predicted with reasonable accuracy. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral register. While alternatives like "a near future" or "a probable future" exist, it's important to use "a foreseeable future" when emphasizing a degree of certainty based on current trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a prospective future

Emphasizes potential and expectation, focusing on what is likely to occur.

a probable future

Highlights the likelihood of certain events or conditions arising.

a near future

Indicates a time frame that is close or imminent.

a viable future

Suggests a future that is both possible and sustainable.

a possible future

Indicates a future that is capable of happening or existing.

a conceivable future

Emphasizes the possibility of imagining or understanding the future scenario.

a reasonable future

Focuses on what is sensible or logical to expect in the future.

a reliable future

Suggests a future that is dependable and trustworthy.

a close future

Similar to "near future", denoting a relatively short span of time ahead.

a feasible future

Indicates that the future being discussed is practical and achievable.

FAQs

How can I use "a foreseeable future" in a sentence?

You can use "a foreseeable future" to describe events or conditions that are likely to occur based on current trends. For example, "In "a foreseeable future", electric vehicles will become more common."

What is an alternative to saying "a foreseeable future"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a near future", "a probable future", or "a prospective future", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in the foreseeable future"?

Yes, "in the foreseeable future" is a correct and commonly used variation of the phrase. Both ""a foreseeable future"" and "in the foreseeable future" are acceptable, with the latter often used as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb.

What's the difference between "a foreseeable future" and "a distant future"?

"A foreseeable future" refers to a time frame that can be predicted with some degree of certainty based on current trends and information. "A distant future", on the other hand, refers to a time far off, where predictions are much less reliable.