In future vs In the future

Students struggle with this question a lot.

“In future”, or “in the future“?

I will try to shed light on it in this article.

To learn more, read on.

 

In future

The phrase “in future” is used a lot in British English, but very rare in American English.

 

Meaning #1

It is used to mean starting now and into the future.

You would usually use it when giving a warning, advice, or deciding on a plan or a course of action.

In future, make sure you do not leave your water on the desk. (= warning) In future, rather than doing problems in your head, use your calculator. (= advice) We will do more rigorous testing in future. (= a plan for the future) I hope in future many people and families will benefit from this new building. (= hope for the future) You should keep an eye out for that in future. (= a course of action)

Note that in American English this would be said as “in the future”.

 

In the future

The phrase “in the future” is used in both British English as well as American English.

 

Meaning #1

In American English, “in the future” is used to mean starting now and into the future.

In the future, make sure you do not leave your water on the desk. (= warning) In the future, rather than doing problems in your head, use your calculator. (= advice) We will do more rigorous testing in the future. (= a plan for the future) I hope in the future many people and families will benefit from this new building. (= hope for the future) You should keep an eye out for that in the future. (= a course of action)

Note that in British English this should be said as “in future”.

 

Meaning #2

Anytime you want to talk about the time that will exist after the present, you should use “in the future”.

In this meaning, the phrase “in the future” is used to mean at some point in the future, or some day.

This property has potential to make money in the future. We can improve that in the future. He should make a recovery in the near future.

 

Difference

Students do not easily understand the little nuance between “in future” and “in the future”.

If you are wanting to learn American English then you can breathe easy; “in future” is not used in American English and can be safely discarded. “In the future” is the usual phrase used for talking about the future.

But in British English (and many other varieties, like Australian English for instance) you will hear both “in future” and “in the future”.

Here’s another explanation of how they work.

“In future” means that you are talking about the time that starts now and continues into the future.

It begins now and continues on forever.

“In the future” means that you are talking about an unknown point in the future and onwards.

It begins at some unspecified point in the future, but not now.

 

Summary

• “In future” is used to talk about the time starting now and is often used when giving a warning or deciding on a course of action,
• “In the future” is used to talk about the time after the present.