Meaning & use
foreseeable future
Last updated
Meaning
nounsingular
the period of time ahead that we can reasonably expect or predict
Grammar: Usually used with 'the' and in the phrase 'for the foreseeable future'. It is not used with 'a'.
Patterns
- for the foreseeable future
- in the foreseeable future
- the foreseeable future
Prices are likely to stay high for the foreseeable future.
She plans to keep working from home for the foreseeable future.
No major changes are expected in the foreseeable future.
Common combinations
- for the foreseeable future
- The store will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
- in the foreseeable future
- We don't expect any new rules in the foreseeable future.
- the foreseeable future
- The foreseeable future looks quiet for the team.
Synonyms and how they differ
- the near future
- Suggests a shorter, more definite time; 'the foreseeable future' can be longer and is less precise.
- the short term
- Focuses on a brief period; 'the foreseeable future' means as far ahead as we can predict, which may be longer.
Word family
- foresee verb
- To know or expect something before it happens.
- foreseeable adjective
- Able to be predicted or expected.
Commonly confused: foreseeable future or forseeable?
foreseeable future vs forseeable
A common misspelling; the correct spelling is 'foreseeable' with 'fore-' meaning 'before'.
Practice
The company says it will keep the factory open for the ___ future.
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase uses the adjective 'foreseeable' before 'future'. 'Foreseeing' and 'foreseen' are verb forms and do not fit this phrase.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “foreseeable future”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.