that will happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that will happen" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a future event or occurrence that is expected to take place. Example: "If we continue on this path, I believe that will happen sooner than we think."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But some doubt that will happen.

The Economist

And to some extent that will happen.

Forbes

That will happen slowly.

The Economist

But that will happen.

Independent

Perhaps that will happen.

The New Yorker

Perhaps that will happen again.

The New York Times

Maybe that will happen overnight".

The New York Times - Sports

And maybe that will happen.

The New Yorker

And that will happen.

The Guardian

A. That will happen.

The New York Times - Tech

Maybe that will happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that will happen" to express a belief or expectation about a future event with a degree of certainty. Ensure the context clearly supports this expectation.

Common error

While "that will happen" is acceptable, avoid overuse. Vary your language with alternatives like "that is likely to occur" or "that is expected" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that will happen" functions as a declarative statement, expressing a belief or prediction about a future event. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples showing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that will happen" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express an expectation or conviction about a future event. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and widely used. It fits comfortably in neutral contexts, particularly within news, business, and scientific domains. While versatile, consider alternatives to prevent overuse and fine-tune the level of certainty conveyed. As an alternative, you could express ideas with "that is going to occur" or with "that is set to take place".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is set to take place

Replaces "happen" with "take place" adding a sense of scheduling.

that is going to occur

Uses a more formal verb "occur" instead of "happen".

that is sure to come about

Utilizes "come about" to denote inevitability.

that is anticipated to materialize

Uses "materialize" for a more concrete sense of realization.

that is bound to transpire

Employs "transpire" for a more sophisticated tone.

that is slated to unfold

Replaces "happen" with "unfold" which is common to describe events.

that will transpire without a doubt

Adds emphasis on certainty using "without a doubt".

that is destined to befall

Conveys a sense of fate or inevitability with "befall".

that is on the horizon

Uses a more metaphorical and descriptive expression.

that is in the cards

Employs an idiomatic expression indicating likelihood.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "that will happen" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "that is expected to occur", "that is anticipated", or "that is projected to happen". These alternatives provide a more professional and polished feel, especially in business or academic contexts.

Is it always appropriate to use "that will happen", or are there situations where it's unsuitable?

While generally acceptable, "that will happen" might be too direct or assertive in situations requiring diplomacy or expressing uncertainty. In such cases, alternatives like "that might happen", "that could happen", or "it's possible "that may happen"" are more suitable.

What's the difference between "that will happen" and "that might happen"?

"That will happen" expresses a higher degree of certainty or expectation about a future event. On the other hand, "that might happen" indicates possibility but with less assurance. The choice depends on the speaker's confidence in the outcome.

Are there any idiomatic alternatives to "that will happen"?

Yes, idiomatic alternatives include "that's in the cards", "that's bound to occur", or "that's a foregone conclusion", depending on the nuance you want to convey. Each carries a slightly different connotation regarding inevitability or likelihood.