future
future — 名詞
1. the whole span of time after the present moment, covering everything that is sti
未來
現在之後的時間
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.
Dewi 希望未來創辦自己的公司。
collocation: in the future
Tara opened a savings account to prepare for her future after college.
Tara 開了一個儲蓄帳戶，為大學畢業後的未來做好準備。
collocation: prepare for the future
The city plans to build more parks and bike lanes for a greener future.
該市計劃新建更多公園和自行車道，打造更環保的未來。
Mira decided to study environmental science to protect the future of the planet.
Mira 決定攻讀環境科學，以保護地球的未來。
- 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
未來式
表示將來發生的動詞形式
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.'
在英文中，未來式可以用「will」或「be going to」來表達。
grammar: 'will' vs 'be going to'
The teacher told the class to write five sentences using the future tense.
老師要全班用未來式寫五個句子。
Spanish uses a special set of endings to mark the future on verbs.
西班牙文用一組特殊的字尾來標示動詞的未來式。
Omar sometimes finds it hard to choose between the present tense and the future when talking about plans.
Omar 在談論計畫時，有時覺得很難決定要用現在式還是未來式。
- 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
前途；將來
某人或某事物將來的發展
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.
受傷之後，那位運動員擔心自己在職業體育界的未來。
possessive: his future
The future of the village school depends on whether more families move into the area.
這所村莊小學的未來取決於是否有更多家庭搬入該地區。
collocation: the future of + noun
Liang is excited about his future as a software designer.
Liang 對自己成為軟體設計師的前途感到興奮。
The future of the rainforest remains uncertain due to illegal logging.
由於非法砍伐，雨林的未來仍然充滿不確定性。
Folake asked a career advisor about her future in the medical field.
Folake 向職業顧問諮詢自己在醫療領域的未來發展。
- 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
前景；展望
繼續成功或發展的可能性
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.
除非人們重新開始來看戲，否則這家老戲院沒有前景可言。
collocation: have no future
Solar energy has a bright future as the cost of panels continues to drop.
隨著太陽能板成本持續下降，太陽能的前景一片光明。
collocation: bright future
The small bakery saw a promising future after the new housing complex opened nearby.
新住宅大樓在附近完工後，這家小麵包店看到了充滿希望的前景。
The future of the factory looks uncertain after the main client canceled its orders.
主要客戶取消訂單後，這家工廠的前景看起來很不確定。
Caleb decided that his future lay in renewable energy rather than oil and gas.
Caleb 認為自己的前景在再生能源領域，而非石油和天然氣。
- 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
今後
表達從今以後的決定或警告
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.
今後，離開辦公室前請關燈。
adverbial: in future + instruction
The librarian told the children that any future noise would mean they had to leave.
圖書館員告訴孩子們，以後如果再吵鬧就必須離開。
determiner: any future + noun
The manager warned Erik that future mistakes on the accounts would not be accepted.
經理警告 Erik，以後帳目如果再出錯，他不會接受。
We agreed that in future, all team meetings would start at exactly nine o'clock.
我們同意今後所有團隊會議都準時在九點開始。
- 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
期貨
預定未來日期交割的金融合約
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.
這位交易員上一季從大豆期貨中獲利豐厚。
collocation: commodity + futures
Farmers often use futures to lock in a stable price for their harvest before the crop is ready.
農民常用期貨來鎖定農作物收成前的穩定價格。
purpose: hedge against price changes
The price of gold futures rose sharply after the economic report was released.
經濟報告發布後，黃金期貨價格大幅上漲。
Investors can trade oil futures on several major exchanges around the world.
投資者可以在全球多家主要交易所交易石油期貨。
- 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 — 形容詞
1. happening, existing, or planned for a time that is later than the present
未來的
在將來發生的
happening, existing, or planned for a time that is later than the present
The school is building extra classrooms to meet future demand.
學校正在加蓋教室以滿足未來需求。
collocation: future demand / needs
Future generations will judge us by how we protect the environment today.
未來世代將根據我們今天如何保護環境來評價我們。
collocation: future generations
The architect showed the mayor her plans for the future city park.
建築師向市長展示了她為未來城市公園所做的規劃。
Rafael hopes that future versions of the software will support voice commands.
Rafael 希望未來版本的軟體能支援語音指令。
The company set aside a budget for future research on battery technology.
公司為未來電池技術的研究預留了一筆預算。
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
未來式的
關於表示將來時間的動詞形式
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.
「will」這個字是英文句子中常見的未來式標記。
terminology: future marker
The teacher asked the students to identify the future verb forms in the paragraph.
老師要求學生找出段落中的未來式動詞。
In French, the future endings are added directly to the infinitive form.
法文中，未來式字尾直接加在原形動詞上。
Anthony sometimes confuses the future form with the conditional in English.
Anthony 有時會把英文的未來式和條件式搞混。
- 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
供日後查閱的
記錄下來以備將來參考
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.
請保留收據以供日後查閱，以備退款之用。
fixed phrase: for future reference
The consultant gave each team a safety handbook for future reference.
顧問給了每組一份安全手冊，供日後查閱。
The website allows users to bookmark articles for future reference.
該網站讓使用者可以將文章加入書籤，供日後查閱。
Diya filed the meeting notes carefully for future reference.
Diya 仔細整理會議記錄，供日後查閱。
- 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
備用的
保存以備將來使用
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.
主廚留了一些新鮮羅勒，準備將來做醬料用。
fixed phrase: for future use
The museum stores paintings in a climate-controlled room for future exhibits.
博物館將畫作存放在恆溫恆濕的房間裡，留待將來展覽使用。
Caleb saved a portion of his bonus for future use rather than spending it.
Caleb 把部分獎金存起來以備將來使用，而非花掉。
The research team collected water samples from the river for future analysis.
研究團隊從河中採集了水樣本，留待將來分析使用。
- 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.