in the future

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "in the future" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to refer to some unspecified time in the future, for example "In the future, I hope to have a successful career".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps in the future.

The New Yorker

Maybe in the future".

The New York Times - Sports

"And will, in the future".

The New Yorker

Maybe someday in the future.

The New York Times - Sports

I lived in the future".

The New York Times - Science

All that's in the future.

The Guardian - Travel

In the future, the I.M.F.

The New York Times

"It will cost them in the future".

The New York Times

Maybe in the future, I was told.

The New York Times

Its payoff will be in the future.

The New Yorker

Services will be scheduled in the future.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the future" to discuss possibilities, plans, or predictions about events that have not yet occurred. It helps set a temporal context for your statements.

Common error

While "in the future" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with alternatives like "going forward" or "down the line" for better readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the future" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to indicate a timeframe that is yet to come. Ludwig AI shows it is commonly used to set a temporal context for actions or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the future" is a versatile and commonly used adverbial phrase that indicates a time yet to come. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically sound and frequently appears in diverse contexts, from news reports to scientific discussions. While the phrase is widely accepted, it's important to use it judiciously, considering alternatives like "eventually" or "going forward" to enhance writing style. Predominantly featured in news and business contexts, "in the future" serves to express anticipation, prediction, or intention regarding upcoming events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

eventually

Implies that something will happen at some unspecified later time.

going forward

Focuses on a continued action or plan extending from now.

in time

Suggests that something will occur when the conditions are right or after a period has passed.

down the line

Emphasizes a point further along in a sequence of events.

at a later date

Suggests a specific but unspecified time will be chosen.

in the long run

Focuses on the eventual outcome or results after a prolonged period.

in due course

Implies something will happen when the time is right or expected.

in the coming days

Refers to a short time, usually less than a week.

subsequently

Suggests that one thing will happen after another in a sequence.

in the offing

Indicates that something is likely to happen or appear soon.

FAQs

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

Use "in the future" to refer to events or times that have not yet occurred. For example, "In the future, I plan to travel extensively".

What are some alternatives to "in the future"?

You can use alternatives like "eventually", "going forward", or "down the line" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "in future" instead of "in the future"?

While "in future" is sometimes used, especially in British English, "in the future" is generally more common and widely accepted, particularly in American English.

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

"In the future" is a prepositional phrase used adverbially to specify a time frame, while "the future" is a noun referring to the time that will come. For example, "In the future, technology will advance rapidly" versus "The future is uncertain".