Cool MateForthcoming vs Upcoming
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Forthcoming
Top 3,000 (common)C1adjective
Upcoming
Top 1,000 (very common)C1adjective
Most common: Upcoming
| Forthcoming | Upcoming | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌfɔːθˈkʌmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌfɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈʌpkʌmɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈʌpkʌmɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Coming soon or about to happen. | Something that is going to happen soon. |
| Example | the forthcoming elections | the upcoming presidential election |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | adjective |
| Collocations | be, readily, immediately, be, not very, about | upcoming events, upcoming deadlines, upcoming holidays, upcoming shows |
| Antonyms | distant, remote, uncertain | past, previous |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'forthcoming' vs 'forth comings' (think of it as a single word)., Using it to describe people who are unwilling to share (it actually means they are ready to share). | Using 'upcoming' with verbs instead of nouns., Confusing 'upcoming' with 'upcome', which is not standard., Using 'upcoming' in past contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use 'forthcoming' when referring to something that is expected to happen soon, like events or information. It's more formal than just saying 'coming soon.' Avoid in casual conversations. | Use 'upcoming' to describe events or deadlines that are near. It's suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using it in very formal contexts where synonyms like 'forthcoming' may be more appropriate. |
Frequently asked questions: Forthcoming vs Upcoming
What's the difference between Forthcoming and Upcoming?
Forthcoming: Coming soon or about to happen. Upcoming: Something that is going to happen soon.
Which is more common: Forthcoming and Upcoming?
Upcoming is the most common in everyday English.
Are Forthcoming and Upcoming the same CEFR level?
Forthcoming: C1, Upcoming: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Forthcoming and Upcoming?
Forthcoming: adjective, Upcoming: adjective.
Can you show an example of each?
Forthcoming: the forthcoming elections Upcoming: the upcoming presidential election
Can I use Forthcoming and Upcoming interchangeably?
Not always. Forthcoming and Upcoming are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.