In Future vs In the Future
Understanding the difference between in future and in the future will help you to use in future and in the future appropriately when using the English language. According to the Oxford English dictionary, in future means from now onwards. The expression in the future too has a similar meaning. Both in future and in the future indicate the future time. If you look at the expressions in future and in the future the first difference that catches your eye is the present of the definite article ‘the’ between in and future in the expression in the future. Because of this fact, you may even think that there is no difference between the two expressions in future and in the future. However, once you read this article you will be convinced otherwise.
What does In Future mean?
The word in future is used in informal utterances as in the sentences given below.
I shall not commit the same mistake in future.
He said he will get it in future.
In both the sentences, the expression in future is used in the sense of ‘again’ and ‘later’ respectively in the informal sense. In the first sentence, we get the meaning ‘I shall not commit the same mistake again’. In the second sentence, we get the meaning ‘He said he will get it later’. Thus, it can be said that the expression in future is indicative of meanings ‘again’ and ‘later’ depending upon the context in which it is used. Also, when we consider the usage of the expression in future, we can say that in future indicates sometime in the recent future. Look at the following sentence.
It is okay to forget your pass this time but in future remember to bring it.
Here, the expression in future indicates next time as in the recent future.
What does In the Future mean?
On the other hand, the expression in the future is used in the sense of ‘in the times to come’ and is used in the formal sense. Observe the two sentences given below.
I shall not commit the same mistake in the future.
He said he will get it in the future.
In both the sentences given above, the expression in the future is used in the sense of ‘in the times to come’ and in the formal sense. In the first sentence, we get the meaning ‘ I shall not commit the same mistake in the times to come’. In the second sentence, we get the meaning ‘He said he will get it in the times to come’. Thus, it can be said that the expression ‘in the future’ is indicative of meanings ‘in the times to come’. Moreover, when looking at the usage of the expression in the future you can see that it indicates a time in not recent future. Look at the following example.
We will have robots with human emotions in the future.
This sentence speaks about a phenomenon in the future. However, that future is very far from the present.
What is the difference between In Future and In the Future?
• The word in future is used in informal utterances.
• It can be said that the expression in future is indicative of meanings ‘again’ and ‘later’ depending upon the context in which it is used.
• On the other hand, the expression in the future is used in the sense of ‘in the times to come’ and is used in the formal sense.
• In future indicates sometime in the recent future.
• In the future indicates a time in not recent future.
Both the expressions, in future and in the future, should be used with care and precision by the writer to suggest the exact meaning that he or she wants to convey.
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