future

The time after now, when things have not happened yet.

• Nobody knows the future.
• Will people live longer in the future?
• She worried about what the future would bring.

How to use it: in the future (We will need more space in the future.)

Similar words: time ahead

Opposites: past

Common phrases: in the future, near future, distant future

The chance that someone or something will succeed or develop in the years ahead.

• You have a bright future.
• Does this small company have a future?
• Her coach believed she had a great future in tennis.

How to use it: a future in something (He has a future in music.); a future ahead of someone (You have a promising future ahead of you.)

Similar words: prospects

Common phrases: bright future, future in something, future ahead

A verb form used to talk about things that will happen after now.

• Use the future to describe tomorrow’s plans.
• This verb is in the future.
• We learned the simple future before studying more difficult tenses.

Similar words: future tense

Common phrases: simple future, future perfect, in the future

Happening or existing after now.

• We talked about our future plans.
• She met her future husband at university.
• Future generations will need clean water too.

Similar words: coming, upcoming

Opposites: past

Common phrases: future generations, future plans, future husband