26984 words

future

14 definitions • 32 examples
1
a period of time that is to come:

Examples:

Sometimes I worry about the future.
the future holds I wonder what the future holds for (= what will happen to) you and me.
in the future I'm sure at some point in the future I'll want a baby.
We need to plan for the future.
the distant future Do you plan to leave New York in the distant future or the near future?
the near future There seems to be no solution to this problem in the near future.
the not too distant future I can see those two getting married in the not too distant future (= quite soon).
the foreseeable future The price of oil is expected to stay high for the foreseeable future.
2
the form of a verb that you use when talking about something that will happen or exist:

Examples:

in the future In the sentence "He will study" the verb phrase "will study" is in the future.
The future in English can be formed using "will" or "going to".
3
what will happen to someone or something in the time that is to come:

Examples:

uncertain future Torn apart by war, its economy virtually destroyed, this country now faces a very uncertain future.
great future She's a very talented young singer, Mike, and I personally think she's got a great future ahead of her!
bright future From what your teachers have told me, you have a bright future ahead of you.
The future isn't looking too rosy for these companies.
4
the chance of continuing success or existence for something:

Examples:

With falling audiences, the future of this theatre is in doubt.
5
used at the beginning or end of a sentence in which there is a decision about a plan of action or a warning:

Examples:

Could you be more careful in future?
6
agreements for the buying and selling of goods, in which the price is agreed before a particular future time at which the goods will be provided:

Examples:

7
happening or existing in the future:

Examples:

Of course we'll keep you up to date about any future developments.
There's an old superstition that young girls going to bed on this night dream of their future husbands.
8
The future form of a verb is used when talking about something that will happen or exist:

Examples:

future tense How do you say that in the future tense?
Each lesson includes grammar practice, and today we focus on future forms.
9
used when you tell someone something so that it will be known about and can be used in the future:

Examples:

For future reference, could you use the headed paper for any correspondence that leaves this office?
10
in order to be used or looked at some time in the future:

Examples:

I filed the documents away for future reference.
11
time which is to come, or something that will happen or exist later:

Examples:

[ U ] What are your plans for the future?
[ U ] We hope to buy a house in the foreseeable future.
[ C ] He faces an uncertain future.
[ U ] I really don’t expect any change in the near future.
I’ll be sure to observe the speed limit in the future (= the next time).
12
the conditions for success:

Examples:

[ U ] In 1903, Ford realized that the future of automobiles lay in making them faster and cheaper.
[ C usually sing ] Candidates always promise a brighter future for Americans.
13
having the tense of the verb used to describe actions, events, or states that will happen or exist later:

Examples:

In the sentence, "Who will look after the dog?", the phrase "will look" is in the future tense.
14
happening or existing later or in the future:

Examples:

She was aware that her writings might speak to future generations of African Americans.

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