"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.