extend into the future

USAGE SUMMARY

"extend into the future" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to something extending beyond the present or current time. For example: "The impact of this decision will extend into the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

This attenuated 'nontime' seemed to stretch back to the beginning and extend into the future.

The New York Times

"He was a listener first, and an activist second, and I am happy to have a chance to honour him and examine how his legacy might extend into the future".

BBC

As long as noroviruses remain a human pathogen, the diversity of HBGA-binding patterns seen today will probably extend into the future.

Plosone

Meanwhile, the UN and partner organizations are monitoring the consequences of Chernobyl and how far they extend into the future.

Unicef

We refer to predictions that can be verified with available observations as "hindcasts," and those that cannot yet be verified because they extend into the future as "forecasts" (Table  1).

Geophysical Research Letters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"The current situation with many new asylum seekers each day means the period of residence in an evacuation site may be extended into the future," said the Migration Board.

The Guardian

"It's about the excesses of capitalism - corporate greed - extended into the future and how two sisters deal with its global effects," says Aziz. "It's a concern that has become prevalent - and, dare I say, fashionable - post 9/11, but I began writing the story more or less 20 years ago.

The Guardian - Books

I wish for the French what they wish for themselves: to carry their matchless civilization on in ways that allows its wit and intelligence to be extended into the future, with its occasional and self-defeating absurdities held for a while in check.

The New Yorker

Rather, the patient is part of a continuing family narrative, reaching into the past and potentially extending into the future.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

It is not irrational to prefer that our lives be extended into the future rather than the past, if for no other reason than this: only the former makes our existing forward-looking pursuits possible.

SEP

It really was a vast unbroken chain that extended back into history, a mountain of contributions built one stone at a time, a chain that also extended into the future, beginning with us, beginning with that night, beginning with there, in Gale Crater and in the auditorium.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the long-term consequences of present actions, use "extend into the future" to emphasize the duration and scope of those consequences.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "extend into the future" can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "last" or "continue" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extend into the future" functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe how the effects, consequences, or relevance of a present action or condition will continue to have an impact over a period of time yet to come. Ludwig shows examples across various domains, illustrating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extend into the future" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to describe the lasting impact or relevance of something. Ludwig's analysis of real-world examples suggests that it's most commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While useful for emphasizing long-term consequences, it is important to consider the register and context, opting for simpler alternatives in informal settings. Overall, according to Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English for referring to things that reach beyond the current moment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reach into the future

Uses "reach" instead of "extend", implying a similar concept of influence or effect on future events.

endure into the future

Replaces "extend" with "endure", emphasizing the lasting quality of something.

persist into the future

Emphasizes the continuation of something using "persist" as a substitute for "extend".

continue into the future

A more straightforward alternative, simply using "continue" to convey the idea of something lasting.

last into the future

Focuses on the duration of something using "last" instead of "extend".

have a lasting impact

Shifts the focus to the impact of something, rather than its continuation, while still implying a future effect.

have long-term effects

Highlights the long-term nature of the effects, rather than the extension itself.

remain relevant in the future

Focuses on relevance as the key aspect of future impact, rather than simple continuation.

shape the future

Emphasizes the active role of something in influencing the future, rather than just existing within it.

have future implications

Highlights the existence of future implications, while staying more generic.

FAQs

How can I use "extend into the future" in a sentence?

You can use "extend into the future" to describe the lasting impact or relevance of something. For example, "The consequences of this decision will "extend into the future"."

What phrases are similar to "extend into the future"?

Similar phrases include "reach into the future", "endure into the future", and "persist into the future". Each emphasizes a slightly different aspect of lasting impact.

Is "extend into the future" formal or informal?

"Extend into the future" leans towards a more formal register. In casual contexts, consider using simpler alternatives like "last" or "continue".

Which is correct, "extend into the future" or "extends into the future"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "extend" with plural subjects or 'I', 'you', 'we', and 'they'. Use "extends" with singular subjects like 'he', 'she', 'it' or any singular noun.