possible future

USAGE SUMMARY

"possible future" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a potential outcome that may occur some time in the future. For example: "We must prepare now for the possible future scenario of a world without oil."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Or rather, one possible future.

The New York Times

Imagine one possible future.

The Guardian

Possible future shows?

The New York Times - Style

That's one possible future.

The New York Times - Magazine

Two possible future.

Stanford University

Possible future developments are outlined.

Planetary and Space Science

And for all our possible future selves.

The Guardian

One possible future for digital styluses.

MIT Technology Review

SCOPA welcomes suggestions concerning possible future forums.

Yale University

Brazil and MIT discuss possible future collaboration.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Possible future research directions are also discussed.

Coordination Chemistry Reviews

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing future scenarios, use "possible future" to indicate that multiple outcomes are conceivable and that the discussed future is just one of several that could unfold. This avoids implying certainty when it is not warranted.

Common error

While "possible future" is versatile, overuse can make your writing sound vague. Consider replacing it with terms like "likely outcome", "projected scenario", or "potential development" when the context allows for greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possible future" functions as a noun phrase, where "possible" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "future". It describes a future that is one of several potential outcomes. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

25%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "possible future" is a common and versatile term used to describe potential outcomes or scenarios. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English. While "possible future" is broadly applicable, it's important to consider more specific terms like "likely outcome" or "projected scenario" when greater precision is needed. Alternatives such as "potential future" and "prospective future" can offer subtle shifts in meaning. This analysis highlights the importance of using "possible future" appropriately and understanding its relationship to other similar phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potential future

Replaces "possible" with "potential", emphasizing the inherent capability for something to develop into the future.

prospective future

Substitutes "possible" with "prospective", highlighting the anticipated or likely future.

envisioned future

Replaces "possible" with "envisioned", suggesting a future that has been imagined or planned for.

projected future

Uses "projected" instead of "possible", indicating a future that has been forecasted or predicted.

conceivable future

Replaces "possible" with "conceivable", meaning a future that is capable of being imagined or grasped mentally.

plausible future

Substitutes "possible" with "plausible", implying a future that is believable or credible.

anticipated future

Replaces "possible" with "anticipated", suggesting a future that is expected or looked forward to.

imaginable future

Similar to "conceivable future", but focuses on the ease with which the future can be imagined.

achievable future

Highlights a future that is within reach or capable of being accomplished.

foreseeable future

Refers to a future that can be predicted or anticipated based on current trends and conditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "possible future" to describe potential outcomes or scenarios. For example, "We must prepare for every "possible future" to ensure our resilience."

What's the difference between ""possible future"" and "likely future"?

"Possible future" refers to any future that could happen, while "likely future" refers to the future that is most probable based on current trends and information. The former is broader and includes less probable outcomes.

What can I say instead of ""possible future""?

You can use alternatives like "potential future", "prospective future", or "envisioned future" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is ""possible future"" the same as "foreseeable future"?

Not exactly. "Possible future" is a general term for any future that might occur. "Foreseeable future" typically refers to a time period that can be reasonably anticipated or predicted based on current conditions. It usually refers to a closer time frame.