upcoming semester

USAGE SUMMARY

"upcoming semester" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the semester that is coming up soon. For example, "I'm looking forward to my upcoming semester of classes!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

But to get the best deals — on both buying books for the upcoming semester and selling your old texts — it may be worth paying closer attention to when you shop and sell.

The New York Times

While the second day also included engaging participants in experiences around engineering and integrated STEM, the larger focus of this final day was on designing engaging and integrated STEM lessons and co-planning STEM instruction for the upcoming semester.

International Journal of STEM Education

With an impressive +600 universities already experimenting with a platform launched last winter, Lore has announced a newly redesigned interface for the upcoming semester (including a future-facing "upward" scroll for the newsfeed, which could become a staple of other social media).

TechCrunch

The EU presidency will be under Italian control during the upcoming semester, and this could be an occasion to promote friendlier policies in Brussels for Mediterranean countries.

Huffington Post

The working-class students, who are on their own in figuring out how to pay for the upcoming semester, come to see their professors for extra help.

Huffington Post

It's an experience which makes my resume stand out, and one which would have been utterly impossible if I'd needed to earn enough to pay rent for the summer or finance my upcoming semester.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

The question of student persistence in STEM and participation in undergraduate research projects will be tracked in upcoming semesters.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The deal should ensure that college students, starting with the upcoming fall semester, have easy access to electronic textbooks.

TechCrunch

Chegg has already started to transfer ownership of both current and new inventory to Ingram, equaling approximately 10% of Chegg's anticipated textbook volume for the upcoming fall semester.

TechCrunch

So they filled out the usual housing forms for the upcoming fall semester.

Vice

That's why we've complied a list of dorm room essentials all college kids need for the upcoming fall semester.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upcoming semester" when referring to the semester that will begin next. It's a clear and widely understood way to indicate the near future in an academic context.

Common error

Be cautious when using "this semester" near the start or end of a semester, as it can be unclear whether you're referring to the current or the "upcoming semester". Use "upcoming semester" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "upcoming semester" functions as a noun phrase acting as an adjective + noun combination. It commonly modifies a noun (often implied) to specify which semester is being referenced, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "upcoming semester" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term to denote the semester that is about to begin. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is suitable for various contexts, including news, science, and general discussions. While alternatives like "next semester" or "approaching semester" exist, "upcoming semester" provides a clear and versatile way to refer to the near future in an academic setting. Remember to avoid ambiguity with similar terms like "this semester" by using "upcoming semester" when clarity is crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

next semester

Refers to the immediately following semester, similar in meaning but more specific in time frame.

approaching semester

Emphasizes the semester's imminent arrival, similar to "upcoming" but with a slightly different nuance.

forthcoming semester

A more formal synonym for "upcoming", indicating a semester that is about to begin.

ensuing semester

Highlights the semester that follows a particular event or period.

start of the semester

Focuses on the beginning of the semester, rather than the entire period.

the semester ahead

Emphasizes looking forward to the semester.

future academic term

A more generic phrase applicable to any future academic session.

new semester

Highlights the novelty or fresh start associated with the semester.

coming academic session

A formal way to refer to the upcoming semester.

impending school term

Highlights the potentially stressful nature of the term's start.

FAQs

What does "upcoming semester" mean?

The phrase "upcoming semester" refers to the academic semester that is about to begin. It's used to distinguish it from the current or previous semesters.

What's another way to say "upcoming semester"?

You can use alternatives like "next semester", "approaching semester", or "forthcoming semester" depending on the context.

How is "upcoming semester" different from "current semester"?

"Upcoming semester" refers to a future academic period, while "current semester" refers to the one presently in progress. Using the terms accurately ensures clear communication about timeframes.

Is it correct to use "upcoming semester" in formal writing?

Yes, "upcoming semester" is suitable for formal writing. However, for an even more formal tone, consider using "forthcoming semester".