happen next

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "happen next" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inquire about the subsequent events or actions in a sequence or narrative. Example: "After the meeting, I was curious to know what would happen next."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

What might happen next?

Independent

What should happen next?

The New York Times

What would happen next?

The New York Times

Something would happen next.

The New Yorker

This cannot happen next season.

Independent

What will happen next time?

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Let it happen next week.

The Economist

It could happen next year.

The New York Times

"It happened last year, could it happen this year?

The Guardian

That could happen tomorrow.

The New York Times - Science

"Something could happen tomorrow".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "happen next" to inquire about or predict the immediate continuation of a story, process, or series of events to create anticipation.

Common error

Avoid using "happen next" when referring to long-term or distant future events; it implies a more immediate sequence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "happen next" primarily functions as an interrogative phrase, often used to elicit information about subsequent events in a sequence. As Ludwig AI confirm the phrase is perfectly usable. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various questions such as "What will "happen next"?" or "What should "happen next" in Afghanistan?".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "happen next" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to inquire about subsequent events. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for various contexts. For alternatives, consider phrases such as "occur subsequently" or "follow afterward". When using "happen next", ensure you are referring to events with a near-term scope. Be mindful of context and purpose to effectively convey meaning and maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

follow afterward

Using "follow" instead of "happen" and "afterward" instead of "next" shifts the focus to the sequential nature of events.

proceed then

This option replaces "happen" with "proceed" and "next" with "then", focusing on the sequence of actions.

occur subsequently

This alternative uses a more formal word, "subsequently", to convey the sense of happening after something else.

unfold subsequently

"Unfold" suggests that events will reveal themselves gradually over time.

transpire subsequently

Similar to 'occur subsequently', this uses "transpire", which suggests that the event will become known.

ensue thereafter

This option replaces "happen" with "ensue" and "next" with "thereafter", providing a more literary tone.

result eventually

This alternative emphasizes that the event is a consequence of previous actions, happening eventually.

materialize after

This alternative emphasizes the event becoming real or concrete after something else.

come to pass later

This phrase is more idiomatic and implies that the event is expected or fated to occur.

develop further

This phrase emphasizes the idea of continuous development or progression.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "happen next"?

You can use alternatives like "occur subsequently", "follow afterward", or "ensue thereafter" depending on the context.

How to use "happen next" in a sentence?

Use "happen next" to inquire about what will occur immediately after a specific event or situation. For example: "After the presentation, what will "happen next"?" or "The movie ended on a cliffhanger; everyone wanted to know what would "happen next".

What's the difference between "happen next" and "happen in the future"?

"Happen next" refers to the immediate sequence of events, while "happen in the future" refers to events that will occur at some unspecified time. "What will "happen next"?" implies a more immediate continuation than "What will "happen in the future"?".

Is it correct to say "what is happening next"?

Yes, "what is happening next" is grammatically correct. It's a present continuous form used to ask about upcoming events. For example, "We've finished setting up; what is happening next?"