opaque future

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opaque future" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a future that is unclear, uncertain, or difficult to predict. Example: "With the current economic situation, many people feel they are facing an opaque future regarding their job security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

We don't have to wait for an opaque future to unfold before that becomes clear.

The New York Times

Step by step, he went forward to an opaque future that he was sure — absolutely, unshakably sure — would one day be glorious".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The U.S. government must use its close relations with the military council to urge it to lay out a transparent, consultative process to allay the mounting concerns that Egyptians understandably feel about their opaque political future.

Huffington Post

Russia's immediate future remains opaque.

The New York Times

The syndrome announces the exhaustion of a received cultural situation, whose traditions are slack and whose future is opaque.

The New Yorker

According to the Basel agreements that bind banking institutions around the world, banks may make their own internal (opaque) assessments of the future risk of default for home owners.

The Guardian - Business

One of the cleverest men in American business has made a giant, expensive bet on an industry whose future is opaque because of murky regulation and fast-changing technology.

The Economist

In future this opaque system, which is copied in most other countries and through which take-off and landing slots are combined to become routes, should be replaced by an open auction, with safeguards to stop any airline becoming too dominant.

The Economist

Chrome's flipped switch also now means users have to take Google's word for it that it won't suddenly auto sync their data to its own servers — say by making another opaque change, in the future, to further automate the harvesting of users' personal data.

TechCrunch

But the future is more opaque.

The New York Times

The process of choosing future kings is opaque.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "opaque future" when you want to emphasize the difficulty in understanding or predicting what will happen, especially when systems or processes are complex and non-transparent.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple metaphors when describing the future. While "opaque" adds depth, combining it with other obscure terms can make your writing confusing rather than insightful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opaque future" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "opaque" modifies the noun "future". Ludwig AI confirms it is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe uncertainty or lack of clarity about what lies ahead.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "opaque future" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe uncertainty and lack of clarity regarding what lies ahead. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, and various sources, particularly in news and media, demonstrate its application in describing complex situations where outcomes are difficult to predict. While alternatives like "uncertain future" and "vague future" exist, "opaque future" offers a more evocative and nuanced expression of the unknown. When using this phrase, it's best to avoid stacking metaphors and aim for clarity in your writing. The phrase's prevalence across authoritative sources ensures its reliability and appropriateness in diverse contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uncertain future

Replaces "opaque" with a more direct synonym, focusing on the lack of certainty.

unclear future

Similar to "uncertain future", but emphasizes a lack of clarity rather than certainty.

vague future

Indicates a lack of specific details, making the future seem ill-defined.

ambiguous future

Suggests multiple possible interpretations or outcomes, rather than a complete lack of clarity.

murky future

Uses a more figurative term than "opaque", conveying a sense of darkness and difficulty in seeing clearly.

cloudy future

Implies that the future is obscured or indistinct, similar to a cloudy sky.

hazy future

Suggests a lack of sharpness or definition, making the future difficult to perceive clearly.

indistinct future

Focuses on the lack of clear boundaries or outlines in what is to come.

shadowy future

Evokes a sense of potential danger or hidden threats in the future.

enigmatic future

Highlights the mysterious and puzzling nature of the future.

FAQs

What does "opaque future" mean?

An "opaque future" refers to a future that is unclear, uncertain, and difficult to see or understand. It suggests a lack of transparency or predictability about what will happen.

What can I say instead of "opaque future"?

You can use alternatives like "uncertain future", "vague future", or "murky future" depending on the context.

Is "opaque future" a common phrase?

While not the most frequently used phrase, "opaque future" is a recognizable and valid expression, particularly in news and media, and analytical writing. Its usage is considered common, so it is understood in general language.

How do I use "opaque future" in a sentence?

You can use "opaque future" to describe situations where outcomes are hard to predict. For example: "The company faces an opaque future due to changing market conditions."