future
future — noun
1. the whole span of time after the present moment, covering everything that is sti
the whole span of time after the present moment, covering everything that is still to happen and the changes it will bring
Dewi hopes to start her own business in the future.
collocation: in the future
Tara opened a savings account to prepare for her future after college.
collocation: prepare for the future
The city plans to build more parks and bike lanes for a greener future.
Mira decided to study environmental science to protect the future of the planet.
- the time to come
more formal; used in writing
- coming years
narrows the scope to the near or medium term
- what lies ahead
idiomatic; emphasizes uncertainty
文法句型
the future
in the future
2. the set of verb forms in a language that are used to talk about events or states
the set of verb forms in a language that are used to talk about events or states that have not yet happened
In English, the future can be formed with 'will' or 'be going to.'
grammar: 'will' vs 'be going to'
The teacher told the class to write five sentences using the future tense.
Spanish uses a special set of endings to mark the future on verbs.
Omar sometimes finds it hard to choose between the present tense and the future when talking about plans.
- future form
broader; includes periphrastic constructions
- future tense marker
more technical; refers to the affix or auxiliary
- past tense
verb forms for completed events
- present tense
verb forms for current states
文法句型
the future
in the future tense
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is a grammar term referring to verb forms, not to time itself. In many languages, the future tense is used for promises, predictions, and scheduled events.
常見錯誤
3. the set of events and experiences that will happen to a particular person, group
the set of events and experiences that will happen to a particular person, group, or thing later in time
After the injury, the athlete worried about his future in professional sports.
possessive: his future
The future of the village school depends on whether more families move into the area.
collocation: the future of + noun
Liang is excited about his future as a software designer.
The future of the rainforest remains uncertain due to illegal logging.
Folake asked a career advisor about her future in the medical field.
- destiny
suggests fate or a predetermined path; more dramatic
- path ahead
idiomatic; emphasizes the journey aspect
- what lies ahead
informal; focuses on unknown events
- past
what has already happened to someone
文法句型
[possessive] future
the future of [noun]
用法筆記
Frequently used with a possessive adjective (my, his, their) or 'the future of + noun' to specify whose future is being discussed.
4. the chance that a person, organization, or activity will continue to develop and
the chance that a person, organization, or activity will continue to develop and be successful over time
The old theater has no future unless people start attending shows again.
collocation: have no future
Solar energy has a bright future as the cost of panels continues to drop.
collocation: bright future
The small bakery saw a promising future after the new housing complex opened nearby.
The future of the factory looks uncertain after the main client canceled its orders.
Caleb decided that his future lay in renewable energy rather than oil and gas.
- dead end
informal; a situation with no chance of progress
文法句型
a / no / bright future
have a future
用法筆記
Often used with an adjective (bright, promising, uncertain, no) to indicate the degree of expected success. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 3 focuses on what will factually happen; sense 4 focuses specifically on the potential for success.
5. used in statements about how someone should behave or what should happen from no
used in statements about how someone should behave or what should happen from now onward, especially after something has gone wrong
In future, please turn off the lights before leaving the office.
adverbial: in future + instruction
The librarian told the children that any future noise would mean they had to leave.
determiner: any future + noun
The manager warned Erik that future mistakes on the accounts would not be accepted.
We agreed that in future, all team meetings would start at exactly nine o'clock.
- henceforth
formal; used in official announcements
- from now on
neutral; more conversational
文法句型
in future
in the future
用法筆記
In British English, 'in future' (without 'the') is the common form for this sense. In American English, 'in the future' is used for both this sense and sense 1. The determiner use ('future mistakes,' 'any future noise') is also typical of this sense.
6. financial contracts that require the buyer to purchase, or the seller to sell, a
financial contracts that require the buyer to purchase, or the seller to sell, a specific quantity of a commodity or financial asset at a predetermined price on a set future date
The trader made a large profit on soybean futures last quarter.
collocation: commodity + futures
Farmers often use futures to lock in a stable price for their harvest before the crop is ready.
purpose: hedge against price changes
The price of gold futures rose sharply after the economic report was released.
Investors can trade oil futures on several major exchanges around the world.
- futures contracts
full technical term
- derivatives
broader category that includes futures, options, and swaps
文法句型
futures
futures contract
trade in futures
用法筆記
Always used in the plural form 'futures' for this sense. Typically found in business news, financial reports, and investment contexts. Not used in everyday conversation.
future — adjective
1. happening, existing, or planned for a time that is later than the present
happening, existing, or planned for a time that is later than the present
The school is building extra classrooms to meet future demand.
collocation: future demand / needs
Future generations will judge us by how we protect the environment today.
collocation: future generations
The architect showed the mayor her plans for the future city park.
Rafael hopes that future versions of the software will support voice commands.
The company set aside a budget for future research on battery technology.
文法句型
future + [noun]
用法筆記
Always used before a noun (attributive position). Cannot be used after a linking verb: 'The meeting is future' is incorrect; instead say 'The meeting is in the future.'
常見錯誤
2. describing the way a verb is shaped to show that an action or state still lies a
describing the way a verb is shaped to show that an action or state still lies ahead, rather than happening now or having already happened
The word 'will' is a common future marker in English sentences.
terminology: future marker
The teacher asked the students to identify the future verb forms in the paragraph.
In French, the future endings are added directly to the infinitive form.
Anthony sometimes confuses the future form with the conditional in English.
- future-tense
hyphenated when used as a compound modifier
文法句型
future + [grammar term]
用法筆記
Only appears before grammar-related nouns: 'future tense,' 'future form,' 'future marker,' 'future meaning.' Cannot be used in other contexts.
3. intended to be recorded or noted so that the information can be found and used a
intended to be recorded or noted so that the information can be found and used at a later time
Please keep the receipt for future reference in case you need a refund.
fixed phrase: for future reference
The consultant gave each team a safety handbook for future reference.
The website allows users to bookmark articles for future reference.
Diya filed the meeting notes carefully for future reference.
- for later use
broader; not limited to information
- on file
suggests formal storage in an organized system
文法句型
for future reference
用法筆記
This sense is restricted to the fixed phrase 'for future reference.' It cannot be used in other constructions. 'Reference' here means 'consultation for information.'
4. kept or set aside so that someone can consume, employ, or examine it at a later
kept or set aside so that someone can consume, employ, or examine it at a later time
The chef set aside some fresh basil for future use in sauces.
fixed phrase: for future use
The museum stores paintings in a climate-controlled room for future exhibits.
Caleb saved a portion of his bonus for future use rather than spending it.
The research team collected water samples from the river for future analysis.
- for later
less formal; used in everyday speech
- in reserve
implies strategic or emergency storage
文法句型
for future use
用法筆記
Restricted to the phrase 'for future use' or similar 'future + [noun]' constructions where the noun names something being stored or reserved. Distinguish from sense 3: 'for future reference' is about information storage, while 'for future use' can apply to any physical or abstract resource.