future generations

USAGE SUMMARY

"future generations" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to people who are not yet born but will exist in the future. For example: Our current actions will have an impact on future generations, so it is important that we make responsible decisions today.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You educate future generations".

The New York Times

Future generations will not".

Independent

What about future generations?

The Guardian

Inspiring future generations.

The Guardian

Future generations still have?

The New Yorker

What'll that do for future generations?

Independent

They are a betrayal of future generations".

Independent

It's our debt to future generations.

The New York Times

Fairness to future generations is also important.

The Economist

And for the future generations.

The Guardian - Opinion

their information for future generations.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "future generations" when discussing legacy or the impact of present actions on those who will live in the future, particularly in the context of cultural preservation or historical significance.

Common error

Avoid using "future generations" when the context involves short-term impacts or immediate successors. Instead, use "next generation" or "younger people" when referring to people who are alive today, such as in discussions about immediate policy changes or technology adoption among current youth. "Future generations" is better suited for impacts decades or centuries away.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "future generations" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a preposition or a subject complement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, often highlighting a sense of responsibility or legacy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Sport

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "future generations" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It commonly appears in news, media, and academic contexts, serving to emphasize the long-term consequences of current actions and the responsibility we hold towards those who will inherit the world. While alternatives like "posterity" or "succeeding generations" exist, "future generations" is generally appropriate for conveying the importance of considering the impact on people yet to be born. Using the phrase effectively involves understanding its long-term implications and differentiating it from terms like “the next generation,” which refers to the generation immediately following the current one.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

posterity

This term refers to all future generations of people, implying a long-term perspective.

succeeding generations

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of generations that come after the current one.

future society

This phrase broadens the scope to encompass the entire society of the future, not just descendants.

later generations

This term indicates generations that come at a subsequent time after the present one.

generations to come

This alternative emphasizes the continuous flow of generations into the future.

our children's children

This phrase specifies descendants further down the family line.

those who come after us

This expression indicates those who will live after the current generation is gone.

the next generation

This alternative narrows the scope to the immediately following generation.

tomorrow's people

This alternative is more figurative, referring to the people who will inhabit the future.

unborn generations

This option is more literal and highlights that these people are not yet born.

FAQs

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

Use "future generations" to refer to people who will exist in the future, often in the context of responsibility or legacy. For example: "We must protect the environment for "succeeding generations"".

What's the difference between "future generations" and "the next generation"?

"The next generation" typically refers to the generation immediately following the current one. "Future generations" is broader, encompassing all generations that will come after us. Use "the next generation" when discussing current youth and "future generations" when considering the long-term future.

What can I say instead of "future generations"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "posterity", "succeeding generations", or "generations to come".

Is it correct to say "for future generation" instead of "future generations"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. "Generations" should be plural because it refers to multiple generations. The correct phrase is "future generations" or "for "generations to come"".