their futures

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'their futures' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to the fate or destiny of certain individuals. For example: "The students are worried about their futures in an uncertain job market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Their futures are gentle.

The New York Times - Magazine

Their futures came upon them fast.

The New Yorker

They are capable of owning their futures.

The New York Times

What worth did their futures hold anyway?

The New Yorker

They might compromise their futures.

The New York Times - Magazine

Their futures depended on it.

The Guardian - Opinion

She prayed for their futures.

The Washington Post

They saw their futures rearranged by it.

The New York Times

We wish them success in their futures".

The Guardian - Sport

This will undoubtedly blight their futures.

The Guardian

All see their futures in politics.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the future of a group, specify which aspect you're addressing (e.g., career, personal life, health) to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "their futures" in vague contexts. Always ensure the reference is clear and specific to the individuals or groups being discussed; otherwise, the statement can lack impact and appear insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their futures" functions as a noun phrase, with "their" acting as a possessive adjective modifying the noun "futures". Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "their futures" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a noun phrase to express prospects or potential outcomes for a group. As Ludwig shows, it appears across diverse contexts, notably in news, business, and scientific domains. While grammatically straightforward, writing guidance advises specifying the aspect of the future when using the phrase to ensure clarity. The high expert rating and common usage underscore its reliability and appropriateness in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their future lives

Adds emphasis on 'lives' to highlight the personal aspect of their futures.

their prospects

Substitutes "futures" with "prospects", focusing on potential opportunities and outcomes.

their coming years

Focuses on the passage of time and the experiences they will have.

what lies ahead for them

Replaces "futures" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the unknown nature of the future.

their outlook

Uses "outlook" to suggest a perspective or expectation of what the future holds.

what the future holds for them

Emphasizes uncertainty, similar to "what lies ahead", but with a slightly different phrasing.

their destiny

Replaces "futures" with "destiny", implying a predetermined course of events.

their fate

Similar to "destiny", but can also imply a negative or unavoidable outcome.

their long-term plans

Focuses on intentionality and goals rather than general future.

their subsequent existence

A more formal and abstract way of referring to their future.

FAQs

How can I use "their futures" in a sentence?

You can use "their futures" to discuss the prospects, plans, or expected outcomes for a group of people. For example, "The students are working hard to secure "their futures"."

What's a good substitute for "their futures"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "their prospects", "what lies ahead for them", or "their fate".

Is it better to say "their future" or "their futures"?

Use "their future" when referring to a general, singular future for a group collectively. Use "their futures" when emphasizing individual paths or aspects of each person's future.

How does the context affect the meaning of "their futures"?

The context determines whether "their futures" refers to career prospects, personal well-being, or broader societal roles. Always provide enough information for the reader to understand the specific focus. For example, is it about "their career path" or something else?