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"in future" and "in the future"

Posted by HGL on March 20, 2003

In Reply to: "in future" and "in the future" posted by R. Berg on March 19, 2003

: : : What is the difference between "in future" and "in the future", if any? Thanks.

: : 'In future' tends to mean 'from now on': 'starting right now':'immediately'.
: : 'In the future' tend to means some time in the future, but not immediately.

: I didn't know UK speakers made that distinction. I thought "in future" was British and "in the future" was American.

Per Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary: "in future, from this time onwards"

Per Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English: "in future (used esp. in giving warnings) from now on"

However, neither dictionary mentions "in the future". That is why I raised the question. James Brigg's answer seems very correct to me. Thanks.

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