what will happen

USAGE SUMMARY

"What will happen" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of situations, such as when asking a question or expressing uncertainty. For example, "What will happen if the economy continues to decline?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What will happen tonight?

The New York Times

What will happen?

The New York Times

what will happen then?

The New York Times

I know what will happen.

Independent

But what will happen next?

The Guardian

What will happen in February?

Independent

What will happen next time?

The Economist

'What will happen to us?

Independent

And what will happen afterward?

The New Yorker

But what will happen then?

The New York Times

What will happen to them?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When posing the question "what will happen", ensure the context provides sufficient information about the situation you're inquiring about to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "what will happen" excessively in purely speculative scenarios without grounding the question in some form of evidence or reasonable assumption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what will happen" functions primarily as an interrogative clause, used to inquire about future events or outcomes. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in a wide variety of contexts, from political debates to personal anxieties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what will happen" is a very common interrogative phrase used to inquire about future events or outcomes across a variety of contexts, especially in news, media, and academic settings. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and exhibits a neutral register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal communication. When using this phrase, ensure the context provides sufficient background to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases include "what is going to occur" and "what the future holds", which offer slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what is going to occur

Focuses on the imminence and certainty of the event.

what's in store

Implies anticipation and often suggests an element of surprise or destiny.

what the future holds

Emphasizes a broader perspective on future possibilities.

what is to come

Offers a slightly more formal or literary tone, referring to subsequent events.

what might transpire

Introduces a higher degree of uncertainty or speculation about possible events.

what could unfold

Highlights the gradual revelation or development of events.

what the consequences will be

Shifts the focus to the results or effects of an action or situation.

what lies ahead

Evokes a sense of journeying or progression into the unknown future.

how things will turn out

Focuses on the eventual resolution or outcome of a situation.

what the outcome will be

Centers on the specific result or conclusion of a process or event.

FAQs

How can I use "what will happen" in a sentence?

Use "what will happen" to inquire about future events or outcomes, such as, "What will happen if the interest rates rise?"

What are some alternatives to asking "what will happen"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "what is going to occur", "what's in store", or "what the future holds".

Is it grammatically correct to say "what will happens" instead of "what will happen"?

No, "what will happens" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "what will happen", as "will" is a modal verb that should be followed by the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "what will happen" and "what is happening"?

"What will happen" refers to a future event, while "what is happening" refers to a present event. For instance, "What will happen tomorrow?" versus "What is happening right now?"