in the immediate future

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the immediate future" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a short period of time in the near future. Example: "In the immediate future, we plan to expand our product line and enter new markets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not in the immediate future.

The New York Times

No, not in the immediate future".

The New York Times

It seems unlikely in the immediate future.

The Guardian

Not that they may need that in the immediate future.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's hard to see this stopping in the immediate future.

The Guardian

Serious progress in the immediate future still looks improbable.

The Guardian

There is no thought of profit in the immediate future.

The Guardian

T-S: No. Rutte: Not in the immediate future.

The Guardian - Business

What does the change mean in the immediate future?

The New York Times - Sports

"However, this opportunity must be taken in the immediate future.

Independent

But "in the immediate future" may be the key words.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the immediate future" to clearly indicate that something is expected to happen very soon, distinguishing it from longer-term plans or possibilities.

Common error

Avoid using "in the immediate future" excessively in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or sophisticated language might be preferred. Consider alternatives such as "in the short term" or specifying a date if appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the immediate future" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It indicates when an action is expected to occur. The examples from Ludwig show it setting a timeframe for various events, plans, and expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in the immediate future" is a common and grammatically correct way to indicate that something will happen very soon. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. With a high frequency of usage, particularly in "News & Media", the phrase effectively sets expectations for events that are anticipated to occur in the short term. When writing, consider the level of formality required and whether a more precise timeframe would be appropriate. Alternatives like "in the near future" or "shortly" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the near future

Focuses on proximity in time, suggesting that the event is expected relatively soon.

in the short term

Highlights a limited period of time.

shortly

Emphasizes the brief duration before the event occurs.

in the foreseeable future

Indicates a period that can be reasonably predicted.

imminently

Implies that the event is on the verge of happening.

in the coming days

Specifies a timeframe within the next few days.

in due course

Suggests that something will happen at the appropriate time without specifying when.

on the horizon

Suggests that an event is approaching.

in the offing

Implies that something is likely to happen soon.

coming up

A more informal way of saying something will happen soon.

FAQs

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

You can use "in the immediate future" to indicate that something is expected to happen soon. For example, "In the immediate future, we plan to expand our services."

What can I say instead of "in the immediate future"?

You can use alternatives like "in the near future", "shortly", or "imminently" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "in the immediate future" and "in the near future"?

"In the immediate future" implies a shorter timeframe than "in the near future". The former suggests something will happen very soon, while the latter indicates a more general timeframe.

When should I use "in the immediate future" versus "for the foreseeable future"?

"In the immediate future" refers to a short, specific period. "For the foreseeable future" refers to a period that can be reasonably predicted, which is generally longer and less certain.