posterity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "posterity" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to future generations or descendants, often in the context of preserving something for them. Example: "We must take care of our environment today to ensure a better world for posterity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But by the middle of the 18th century, as print culture expanded and literacy increased, some of those most preoccupied with "glory", "credit" and "posterity" were wealthy, powerful or famous married women who resented that their names would die with them.

The Guardian - Books

All in all, the Regal is a standout cinema worthy of recording for posterity and praise in the Cine-file vaults.

The Guardian - Film

Will posterity look kindly on a generation that diverted some of the energies it might have spent on curing disease or developing alternative sources of energy into seeing how far a human could blow a Malteser with a straw (Wayne Iles, UK, 11ft 0.2in)?

The Guardian - Opinion

Musharaf moments are rare in a teacher's career but I am grateful mine was caught on camera for posterity.

The Guardian

In the last 40 years of the 18th century, nearly 700 people petitioned to change a surname by royal licence – and almost a sixth of the name changes were instigated by women who wished to see their birth names continue to posterity.

The Guardian - Books

He may have had half an eye on the good opinion of posterity, but it was also generous.

The Guardian

He knows nothing that posterity needs to be told about".

The Guardian - Books

And perhaps posterity will show getting rid of NHS primary care to be a coup-de-grace to the British economy.

The Guardian

This week, Wootton was granted a Mayfair sit-down with triumphantly returning judges Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole, and was so intent on relaying the machinations of this secretive powerbase that he penned a first-person thinkpiece on the matter, almost as though he'd been allowed to sit in on the Yalta conference and felt moved to offer the first draft of history for posterity.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Perhaps this was because he saw the surname as an especially important component of the name: surnames were, he declared, "especially respected as whereon the glory and credit of men is grounded, and by which the same is conveyed to the knowledge of posterity".

The Guardian - Books

I'd see the royal licences bought by aristocratic women desperate to transmit their names to posterity.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "posterity" when you want to convey a sense of legacy or long-term impact. It adds a touch of formality and emphasizes the importance of actions for future generations.

Common error

Avoid using "posterity" in very informal contexts. It can sound overly grand or pretentious if used inappropriately. Opt for simpler terms like "future generations" in casual settings.

Linguistic Context

The noun "posterity" functions as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, referring to future generations as a collective entity. As per Ludwig AI, the term is correctly used to denote descendants and future generations, fitting within the semantic structure of legacy and inheritance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "posterity" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun referring to all future generations. According to Ludwig AI, the term is correct and usable in written English. Its formal tone makes it suitable for contexts where long-term impact and legacy are emphasized, particularly in News & Media. To avoid missteps, it's wise to reserve "posterity" for formal settings and consider simpler alternatives like "future generations" in casual communications. By understanding its nuances, one can effectively use "posterity" to convey a sense of responsibility and historical significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

future generations

Replaces the more formal term with a simpler and more direct expression.

generations to come

Another way to refer to future generations, but in a bit more formal manner.

descendants

Focuses specifically on those who are directly descended from someone.

succeeding generations

Emphasizes the sequential nature of future generations.

those who come after

Uses a more descriptive and less formal way to refer to future generations.

future world

Shifts the focus from people to the world that those people will inhabit.

our children's children

Highlights the familial connection to future individuals.

the next wave

Suggests a dynamic and evolving view of future people.

the coming age

Emphasizes the era in which future generations will live.

the unborn

A more philosophical way to refer to those who will exist in the future.

FAQs

How to use "posterity" in a sentence?

You can use "posterity" to talk about future generations and their place in history. For example, "The documents were preserved for posterity." This means they were kept so that people in the future could read them.

What can I say instead of "posterity"?

You can use alternatives like "future generations", "descendants", or "those who come after", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "posterity" or "prosperity"?

"Posterity" refers to future generations, while "prosperity" refers to wealth or success. They have different meanings and are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "posterity" and "legacy"?

"Posterity" refers to future generations who will remember or judge something. "Legacy" is what you leave behind for those generations. For example, "His legacy will be remembered by posterity".