will happen to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will happen to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to inquire about the future outcome or consequences of a situation or action. Example: "I wonder what will happen to the environment if we continue to ignore climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nothing will happen to him".

The New York Times

'What will happen to us?

Independent

What will happen to them?

The New Yorker

What will happen to her?

Independent

What will happen to Raider Fan now?

The New York Times

What will happen to all his artwork?

The New York Times

What will happen to Lindh now?

The New Yorker

What will happen to AuthenTec's employees?

The New York Times

And nothing will happen to Social Security.

The New Yorker

So what will happen to the euro?

The New York Times

What will happen to the piquillo next?

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will happen to" when inquiring about the future state or outcome of a specific subject. For broad inquiries, consider alternatives like "future of" or "prospects for".

Common error

While generally acceptable, avoid relying too heavily on "will happen to" in formal writing. Opt for more sophisticated phrasing like "the future implications for" or "the potential consequences for".

Linguistic Context

Inquisitive Function: The phrase "will happen to" primarily functions as an interrogative structure used to inquire about future events or outcomes. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a common and acceptable way to frame questions about potential future scenarios. Examples from Ludwig show its usage across varied contexts, from personal inquiries to broader concerns about economies or organizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "will happen to" serves as a straightforward way to inquire about future outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage. Predominantly found in news and media, its neutral register makes it versatile across various contexts. While direct, writers should consider more sophisticated alternatives in highly formal settings. Remember to use "will happen to" when seeking predictions about specific subjects, and to avoid the common error of incorrect verb conjugation. As numerous examples from Ludwig show, this simple phrase unlocks a wealth of possibilities for exploring the unknown.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what's going to become of

Emphasizes the eventual state or condition of something.

what will be the fate of

Highlights the destiny or ultimate outcome.

what's in store for

Suggests a planned or inevitable future.

what awaits

A more concise and slightly dramatic way of asking about the future.

what's on the horizon for

Focuses on future possibilities and developments.

how will it turn out for

Emphasizes the process and manner of the outcome.

what's the future for

Directly asks about the prospects or long-term state.

what's the outlook for

Focuses on forecasts and predictions.

what course will it take for

Highlights the path or direction of future events.

what consequences will arise for

Emphasizes the repercussions and results of current actions.

FAQs

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

The phrase "will happen to" is used to ask about the future outcome or fate of something or someone. For example, "What "will happen to the economy" if interest rates rise?"

What are some alternatives to "will happen to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "what will become of", "what is going to happen to", or "what awaits".

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

No, the correct phrasing is "what will happen to". The verb "happen" should be in its base form after the auxiliary verb "will".

What's the difference between "what will happen to" and "what happens to"?

"What "will happen to"" refers to a future event or outcome, while "what happens to" refers to a general truth or a recurring event. For example, "What "will happen to" the company after the merger?" (future), versus "What happens to unsold inventory?" (general truth).