upcoming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upcoming" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to events or occurrences that are about to happen in the near future. Example: "We are excited about the upcoming conference next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The three-time premiership player has shunned upcoming free agency by signing a two-year contract extension.

The Guardian - Sport

The military have vowed to confront "the forces of terrorism and darkness" and protect the country's upcoming constitutional referendum, scheduled for 14 and 15 January.

The Guardian

If you are revising for upcoming exams you may well be surrounded by piles of paper and post-it notes.

The Guardian

The upcoming spending review provides a renewed opportunity to develop this approach for more difficult and complex social issues, and to bring greater scale, ambition and capability to help the vast numbers of people who have fallen through the cracks of confusing and siloed public services.

The Guardian

His first task in a Manchester United shirt was to mark Danny Bloomfield, a teenager released by Norwich City at the end of last season and one of some 600 players still looking for employment for the upcoming campaign.

The Guardian - Sport

The dinner conversation covered much ground; technology and social media, space travel, edible schoolyards, an upcoming trip to Joshua Tree national park in California, and music sales in Russia — it was a lively meal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

First West would solicit music from, it seems, all the world's upcoming producers.

The Guardian - Music

Unlike their parents, the upcoming demographic will value home-grown brands.

The Guardian - Tech

5.06pm: Now Geert Wilders is speaking again -- telling MPs that the upcoming election (for which we don't have a date) will be a referendum about Europe and Dutch sovereignty.

The Guardian - Business

Dorne, a part of the Seven Kingdoms, sends the second son of its ruling family to attend the upcoming Royal Wedding, as a calculated insult.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He is also founder of co-creation consultancy Collaborative Change, a D&AD Trustee and author of an upcoming book based on his behaviour change work.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "upcoming", ensure the context clearly indicates a relatively near future event. Avoid vagueness by specifying dates or timeframes if possible.

Common error

While "upcoming" is versatile, avoid overusing it in highly formal documents. Opt for more precise alternatives like "forthcoming" or "scheduled" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The word "upcoming" primarily functions as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate that something will happen or appear in the near future. Ludwig AI confirms this through its numerous examples where "upcoming" precedes nouns like "elections", "trip", and "challenge".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "upcoming" is a versatile term used to describe events or occurrences expected in the near future. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use across various contexts, particularly in news and business. While generally neutral in register, alternative terms like "forthcoming" may be preferred in more formal settings. When writing, ensure the context provides clear temporal reference to avoid ambiguity. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively leverage "upcoming" to enhance clarity and precision in their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

approaching

Indicates a coming event or time, similar to "upcoming" but with a slightly different nuance.

forthcoming

Describes something that is about to happen or be released, much like "upcoming".

imminent

Suggests something is about to occur very soon, implying a greater sense of urgency than "upcoming".

on the horizon

Refers to something that is likely to happen in the future, differing from "upcoming" by adding a sense of anticipation or possibility.

in the pipeline

Describes projects or events that are being planned or developed, similar to "upcoming" but emphasizes planning.

anticipated

Indicates an expected or predicted event, differing from "upcoming" by highlighting expectation.

scheduled

Describes something that has been planned for a specific time in the future, similar to "upcoming" but with a fixed timeline.

pending

Indicates something that is waiting to happen, differing from "upcoming" by suggesting a state of suspension or waiting.

later

Refers to a time in the future, similar to "upcoming" but is more generic and less specific.

ensuing

Describes something that follows immediately after something else, differing from "upcoming" by emphasizing sequence.

FAQs

How can I use "upcoming" in a sentence?

You can use "upcoming" to describe events that will happen in the near future, like "We are excited about the upcoming conference" or "The upcoming elections are crucial".

What's a formal alternative to "upcoming"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "forthcoming" or "scheduled" to maintain a professional tone.

Is there a difference between "upcoming" and "imminent"?

"Imminent" suggests something is about to happen very soon, often with a sense of urgency, while "upcoming" simply means happening in the near future without necessarily implying urgency.

Can I use "upcoming" to describe something that might happen?

While "upcoming" typically refers to definite future events, you can use phrases like "on the horizon" to describe potential or less certain future occurrences.