imminent successor

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "imminent successor" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who is expected to take over a position or role very soon. Example: "The board is preparing for the imminent successor to the CEO, as the current leader plans to retire next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The passage in the first Book of Samuel refers to the military prowess of Israel's first king and his imminent successor.

The New York Times

Indeed, the current map, and its imminent successor, are direct descendants of a 1979 version, introduced when the authority did away with Massimo Vignelli's abstract design because its right-angled routes and nondescript background left riders puzzled.

The New York Times

Next week Britain's European partners will try to negotiate a new treaty with Tony Blair (see article), knowing that any deal they strike will have to be ratified by his imminent successor.

The Economist

The signal that the Zetas are done for is the belief that Treviño's imminent successor is his brother Omar, who grew up between Nuevo Laredo and Dallas, one of the 12 Treviño Morales siblings.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

With rumours reaching new levels of hysteria ahead of his successor's imminent unveiling, the debate dividing the fashion world is whether it should be an industry doyen to maintain the 64-year-old haute couture label's status or a young ingénu.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Barack Obama, facing the imminent handover to his bombastic successor, has plenty to be concerned about this week.

The Guardian

Mistique Cano, a Google spokeswoman, said Google had not named a successor and had no imminent plans to do so.

The New York Times

Elbaz was in line to be Saint Laurent's successor upon the Maestro's imminent retirement.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And then, after Elbaz had spent just over a decade in the business, Yves Saint Laurent and his partner, Pierre Bergé, recruited him to be the head of ready-to-wear for Y.S.L. Elbaz was in line to be Saint Laurent's successor upon the Maestro's imminent retirement: "my dream," Elbaz called it.

The New Yorker

With Geithner's departure looking imminent, speculation has been swirling about his successor.

Huffington Post

Asked if the board, knowing Mr. de Montebello's retirement was imminent, had drafted a list of possible successors, Mr. Houghton would only say, "We've got all sorts of lists".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "imminent successor" when you want to emphasize that the transition to a new leader or person in charge is about to happen very soon. It adds a sense of anticipation or urgency.

Common error

Avoid using "eminent successor" when you mean "imminent successor". "Eminent" means distinguished or respected, while "imminent" means about to happen. Using the wrong word changes the meaning completely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "imminent successor" functions as a noun phrase, where "imminent" modifies the noun "successor". According to Ludwig AI, it denotes someone who is about to take over a position or role.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "imminent successor" is used to describe someone who is about to take over a position or role. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage in news and media. It's important to avoid confusing "imminent" with "eminent". While the phrase is not very common, with only 4 examples found, its meaning is clear and its usage appropriate across various contexts, particularly in news reporting. Alternatives include "forthcoming successor" and "impending successor". Use it to signal an approaching change in leadership or responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forthcoming successor

Replaces "imminent" with "forthcoming", suggesting that the succession is near but not necessarily immediately about to happen.

impending successor

Substitutes "imminent" with "impending", conveying a sense of something about to occur and potentially impactful.

approaching successor

Replaces "imminent" with "approaching", indicating the successor is drawing near.

soon-to-be successor

Uses a more informal construction to indicate someone who will soon be a successor.

prospective successor

Focuses on the potential aspect of the successor, suggesting anticipation.

designated successor

Emphasizes the formal selection of the successor.

next in line

Indicates the person who is next in the order of succession.

likely successor

Highlights the probability of someone becoming the successor.

heir apparent

A more formal term, mostly used in monarchies or very hierarchical organizations, implying a clear and recognized successor.

replacement

A more general term for someone taking over a role.

FAQs

What does "imminent successor" mean?

The phrase "imminent successor" refers to someone who is expected to take over a position or role very soon. It suggests the transition is about to occur.

What are some alternatives to "imminent successor"?

You can use alternatives like "forthcoming successor", "impending successor", or "approaching successor" to convey a similar meaning.

How formal is the phrase "imminent successor"?

The phrase is relatively neutral and suitable for use in news reports, formal announcements, and professional communications. Its formality is appropriate for describing transitions in leadership or roles.

Is it correct to say "eminent successor" instead of "imminent successor"?

No, "eminent successor" is incorrect. "Eminent" means distinguished, while "imminent" means about to happen. The correct phrase is "imminent successor", referring to someone whose succession is approaching.