1
general::
future
verbs
predict the future
(= say what will happen in the future )
• No-one can predict the future of boxing.
foretell the future
(= say or show what will happen in the future )
• Some people think that dreams can foretell the future.
see/look into the future
(= know what will happen in the future )
• I wish I could see into the future.
look to the future
(= think about or plan for the future )
• She could now look to the future with confidence.
plan for the future
( also make plans for the future ) (= think carefully about the future and decide what you are going to do )
• As soon as she knew she was pregnant, she started to plan for the future.
face a bleak/grim etc future
• Many pensioners face a bleak future.
shape somebody's future
• Your boss is the one who writes your evaluations, recommends you for promotions and shapes your future.
the future looks good/bright etc
• The future looks good for the company.
adjectives
great/good
• The country has a great future.
bright/promising
(= showing signs of being successful )
• Her future as a tennis player looks promising.
uncertain
(= not clear or decided )
• The college's future is now uncertain.
bleak/grim/dark
(= without anything to make you feel hopeful )
• The theatre is losing money and its future looks bleak.
phrases
the immediate future
(= very soon )
• There will be no major changes in the immediate future.
the near future
(= soon )
• A new product launch is planned for the near future.
the distant future
(= a long time from now )
• I don't worry about what might happen in the distant future.
the dim and distant future
(= a very long time from now )
• He plans to get married in the dim and distant future.
for/in the foreseeable future
(= as far into the future as you can possibly know )
• The population is expected to keep growing for the foreseeable future.
in the not too distant future
(= quite soon )
• We’re planning to go there again in the not too distant future.
sb’s hopes/fears/plans for the future
• What are your hopes for the future?
sb’s worries/concerns about the future
• their worries about the future of the English countryside
what the future holds
(= what will happen )
• He is worried about what the future holds for the company.
transnet.ir
3
general::
noun time that will come after the present ADJ. foreseeable, immediate, near, not-too-distant Things will continue as they are for the foreseeable future. A new branch of the shop will be opening in the near future. | distant, remote VERB + FUTURE look to, plan for Don't think too much about past troubles?look to the future. | foretell, look into, predict FUTURE + VERB bring (sb), hold whatever the future may bring you Who can tell what the future holds? PREP. for the ~ What are your plans for the future? | in (the) ~ In future, employees will park their vehicles away from the works entrance. The possibility of travel to other solar systems still lies in the distant future. | of the ~ The stars of the future are competing in the world junior athletics championships this month. PHRASES a vision for/of the future In her speech, the director outlined her vision for the future. what will happen to sb/sth ADJ. bright, great, promising, rosy, secure He has a great future as a designer. | bleak, dire, gloomy, grim, uncertain He forecasts a dire future for the industry. | long-term | economic, financial, political VERB + FUTURE face, have The firm faces a very uncertain future. | determine, shape the right to determine their own future in a democratic fashion | forecast, predict, see | consider, ponder (on) After being dropped from the team the young defender is considering his future. | invest in She decided to invest in her future by taking a management course. PREP. ~ as She has a very promising future as a musician. | ~ in He could see no future in his job. PHRASES a question mark over the future of sb/sth A question mark hangs over the future of the company after shares plunged to a record low.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary