what is coming

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what is coming" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to future events or developments that are anticipated. Example: "I wonder what is coming next in the story." Alternative expressions include "what lies ahead" and "what's on the horizon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Tech

Lifestyle

Business

Travel

Arts

Opinion

Food

World

Golf

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What is coming next?

The New York Times

America does not know what is coming.

The New Yorker

Rhodes knows what is coming.

The New York Times - Sports

Everyone knows what is coming.

The New York Times - Sports

But what is coming is more sophisticated.

The Guardian - Tech

But what is coming out of Germany?..

The New York Times - Magazine

What is coming will be more disastrous.

The Guardian

He knows what is coming his way.

The Guardian - Sport

We have no idea what is coming.

The Guardian - Business

No one knows what is coming next".

The New York Times - Sports

Michael Appleton knows what is coming.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what is coming", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific events, consequences, or developments being anticipated.

Common error

Avoid using "what is coming" without a clear reference point. Ensure your audience understands exactly what future events or consequences you are alluding to. To ensure clarity, provide relevant details or context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what is coming" functions as a noun clause, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to future events, consequences, or developments. As supported by Ludwig, this phrase is used to inquire about or express anticipation about the future.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Sport

13%

Lifestyle

6%

Less common in

Business

5%

Tech

2%

Travel

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what is coming" serves as a versatile noun clause used to reference future events and anticipate their impact. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase maintains grammatical correctness and boasts very high usage frequency across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, Sport, and Lifestyle sources, it adopts a neutral register suitable for a broad audience. Ludwig’s analysis underscores its purpose in eliciting information or expressing concerns about the future, making it a fundamental component of English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what's in store

Focuses on future experiences or events that await.

what lies ahead

Emphasizes the future and the path forward.

what's going to happen

Directly asks about future occurrences.

what will ensue

Highlights the consequences or results of a particular action or event.

the shape of things to come

Refers to the future state or condition of something.

the future holds

Focuses on the potential or possibilities of the future.

what to expect

Highlights anticipating or preparing for upcoming events.

the impending future

Refers to a future event that is about to happen.

the outlook

Refers to what is predicted or expected to happen in the future.

the foreseeable future

Highlights the future that can be predicted with some certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "what is coming" in a sentence?

You can use "what is coming" to refer to future events or consequences, as in "We need to prepare for "what is coming" next month" or "The characters do not know "what is coming"".

What are some alternatives to "what is coming"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "what's in store", "what lies ahead", or "what's going to happen" as alternatives to "what is coming".

Is it better to say "what is coming" or "what will come"?

Both "what is coming" and "what will come" are grammatically correct, but "what is coming" often implies a more immediate or imminent future, while "what will come" refers to the general future.

What's the difference between "what is coming" and "what is going to happen"?

While both phrases refer to future events, "what is coming" can sometimes carry a sense of inevitability or foreboding, whereas "what is going to happen" is generally neutral and simply inquires about future occurrences.