How to use "will be updated in the near future"

What Does "will be updated in the near future" Mean?

• It expresses time, indicating that an action will occur at some unspecified point in the approaching days, weeks, or months, but not immediately. It suggests a timeframe that is relatively imminent but not precisely defined.
• It typically modifies the verb or verb phrase, specifying when the action described by the verb will take place.
• Register: neutral

How to Use It

• Typical sentence position: final, although it can occasionally appear at the beginning for emphasis. The most natural position is generally at the end of the clause it modifies.
• It modifies the verb phrase by adding a temporal element, specifying when the update will occur. This changes the meaning of the sentence by providing a timeframe for the action.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can be fronted for emphasis, although this is less common. It's not typically used with negation or in questions directly, but the clause it modifies can be negated or put in question form. For example, "It is unlikely that this will be updated in the near future."
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Placing the phrase awkwardly within the verb phrase can sound unnatural (e.g., "will in the near future be updated").

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from will be updated in the near future on Ludwig.guru.

"This work is still very much in progress and will be updated in the near future." — Stanford University

"The database will be updated yearly and in the near future, an online submission form will be available to help with keeping the database widely spread in the research community and continually updated." — Journal of Cheminformatics

"All of these will be updated to the new look in the near future." — TechCrunch

"A memorial service will be held in the near future; please visit our website for news and updates: www.communityaccess.org." — The New York Times

"This course will be offered in the near future." — Stanford University

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/will+be+updated+in+the+near+future

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
in the coming weeks	More specific timeframe, suggesting weeks rather than months.
in due course	More formal and less specific; suggests a natural or appropriate time.
before long	More informal; implies a shorter timeframe and a sense of anticipation.
in the offing	Slightly more literary or old-fashioned; suggests something is likely to happen soon.
in short order	Implies efficiency and speed in completing the update.
shortly	Suggests a very immediate timeframe.

Common Mistakes

• Incorrect placement of the adverbial phrase can disrupt the flow of the sentence. For instance, inserting it within the verb can sound awkward.
• Overusing the phrase in formal writing can make it sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms to vary your language.
• Learners often confuse "in the near future" with similar phrases like "shortly" or "soon" and misuse prepositions, such as saying "at the near future". The correct preposition is always "in".

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
will be updated in the near future	Indicates a timeframe for a future update	Neutral	Final

FAQs

Where should "will be updated in the near future" be placed in a sentence?

Typically, "will be updated in the near future" is placed at the end of the sentence or clause it modifies. While it can be moved to the beginning for emphasis, this is less common and can sometimes sound awkward if not done carefully. The most natural and clear placement is usually at the end.

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How does "will be updated in the near future" differ from "shortly"?

While both phrases indicate a future time, "will be updated in the near future" suggests a timeframe of days, weeks, or perhaps a few months. "Shortly," on the other hand, implies a much shorter timeframe, often within minutes or hours. Therefore, "shortly" conveys a greater sense of immediacy.

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Is it correct to say "at the near future" instead of "in the near future"?

No, it is incorrect to use the preposition "at" with "the near future." The correct preposition is always "in." Saying "at the near future" is a common mistake among English learners, as the correct phrase is "in the near future."