forthcoming
Something that is about to happen soon or someone who is happy to share information.
Explanation at your level:
When something is forthcoming, it means it will happen soon. You can say, 'The new movie is forthcoming.' It also means someone is helpful. If you ask a question and they answer, they are forthcoming.
Use forthcoming to talk about future plans. We often say 'the forthcoming week' or 'the forthcoming party.' It is a formal way to say 'coming soon.' You can also use it to describe a person who talks easily to others.
In intermediate English, forthcoming is often used in professional settings. You might hear 'The forthcoming report' in a meeting. It is a great alternative to 'upcoming.' When someone is being quiet or secretive, you can say 'they were not very forthcoming with information.'
At this level, you can use forthcoming to add nuance to your descriptions. It implies a sense of readiness. If you are waiting for news, you might say 'information was not forthcoming,' which sounds much more sophisticated than saying 'they didn't tell me anything.'
Advanced learners use forthcoming to describe social dynamics or institutional transparency. You might describe a government as 'not being forthcoming' about a policy change. It suggests a lack of transparency. In literature, it can describe a character's willingness to engage with others.
At the mastery level, forthcoming bridges the gap between physical appearance and social disclosure. It is frequently used in legal, academic, and journalistic discourse to denote a failure or success in providing evidence. It carries a subtle weight of expectation—the idea that something or someone should have appeared or spoken, but did or did not.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- Means 'happening soon'.
- Means 'willing to share info'.
- Used as an adjective.
- Common in formal settings.
Hey there! Let's talk about the word forthcoming. It is a really useful adjective that wears two different hats. First, it describes things that are about to happen or arrive soon, like a forthcoming event or a forthcoming book.
The second way we use it is to describe people. If someone is forthcoming, they are open, honest, and willing to share information. Imagine asking a friend about their trip and they tell you everything excitedly—that person is being very forthcoming!
The word forthcoming is a classic Old English construction. It combines forth, meaning 'forward' or 'outward,' and coming, the present participle of 'come.' It literally means 'coming forth' or 'appearing.'
It has been used in English since the 14th century. Originally, it focused on the physical act of something arriving or appearing. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the abstract sense of someone 'coming forward' with information. It is a great example of how physical movement metaphors translate into human social behavior.
In formal writing, you will often see it used for events. For example, 'The forthcoming election' is a very common phrase in news reports. It sounds professional and precise.
When talking about people, it is often used in a business or legal context. If a witness is 'not forthcoming,' it means they are hiding something or being difficult. It is a polite but firm way to describe someone who isn't sharing what they know.
While there aren't many fixed 'idioms' using the word, it appears in several standard expressions. 1. To be forthcoming with the truth: meaning to speak honestly. 2. A forthcoming attraction: used in cinemas for upcoming movies. 3. Not forthcoming: a common way to say someone is being secretive. 4. Forthcoming nature: describing someone's personality. 5. Forthcoming report: a standard business term for a document that will be released soon.
Pronunciation is key here! In British English, it is /fɔːθˈkʌmɪŋ/, and in American English, it is /fɔːrθˈkʌmɪŋ/. Note the stress is on the second syllable.
Grammatically, it functions as an adjective. You can use it before a noun (a forthcoming meeting) or after a linking verb (The details were not forthcoming). It does not have a plural form because it is an adjective.
Fun Fact
It is a compound of 'forth' (forward) and 'coming'.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'forth-cum-ing'
Stronger 'r' sound in the first syllable
Common Errors
- Missing the 'th' sound
- Stressing the first syllable
- Adding an extra 'm'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy to read
easy to write
requires practice
easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avançado
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
The forthcoming event.
Linking verbs
He was forthcoming.
Prepositional phrases
Forthcoming with info.
Examples by Level
The meeting is forthcoming.
meeting = gathering
adjective usage
He is very forthcoming.
forthcoming = helpful
describing character
The book is forthcoming.
forthcoming = coming out
future event
Are you forthcoming?
forthcoming = honest
question form
The news is forthcoming.
forthcoming = expected
news is uncountable
She was not forthcoming.
not forthcoming = quiet
past tense
A forthcoming trip.
forthcoming = future
adjective before noun
Help is forthcoming.
forthcoming = arriving
passive feel
The forthcoming concert is sold out.
He was forthcoming about his mistakes.
We await the forthcoming report.
Is the money forthcoming?
She is a forthcoming person.
The forthcoming winter will be cold.
They were not forthcoming with the truth.
Any forthcoming changes will be announced.
The forthcoming election has everyone talking.
He was surprisingly forthcoming during the interview.
We are planning for the forthcoming season.
The details were not forthcoming from the manager.
She has a forthcoming and friendly personality.
The forthcoming publication will change everything.
If you are not forthcoming, we cannot help you.
The forthcoming merger is a big deal.
The committee was not forthcoming about the funding cuts.
His forthcoming memoir promises to be a bestseller.
I found him to be remarkably forthcoming regarding his past.
The forthcoming legislation aims to protect privacy.
Despite our questions, the witness was not forthcoming.
The forthcoming expansion will create many jobs.
She is always forthcoming with her advice.
The forthcoming results will be published online.
The CEO was not forthcoming about the company's financial state.
Her forthcoming book is highly anticipated by critics.
The government's lack of a forthcoming response was criticized.
He was exceptionally forthcoming in his testimony.
The forthcoming summit will address climate issues.
We are awaiting a forthcoming decision from the board.
She is known for her forthcoming nature in debates.
The forthcoming evidence may change the trial's outcome.
The archives were not forthcoming, leaving the mystery unsolved.
His forthcoming manner made the negotiations much smoother.
The forthcoming paradigm shift in technology is inevitable.
The administration was not forthcoming with the requested documentation.
The forthcoming publication of these letters is a major event.
She remained not forthcoming, despite the intense pressure.
The forthcoming analysis will provide deeper insights.
His forthcoming attitude helped resolve the conflict quickly.
Sinônimos
Colocações comuns
Idioms & Expressions
"come forward"
to volunteer information
He came forward with the truth.
neutral"in the pipeline"
in the process of being developed
A new project is in the pipeline.
casual"on the horizon"
likely to happen soon
Big changes are on the horizon.
neutral"open book"
someone who is easy to understand
She is an open book.
casual"spill the beans"
to reveal secret information
He spilled the beans about the surprise.
casual"lay one's cards on the table"
to be honest about intentions
It is time to lay your cards on the table.
neutralEasily Confused
both mean future
upcoming is for events, forthcoming can be for people too
The upcoming party vs. He was forthcoming.
similar spelling
forward is a direction, forthcoming is an adjective
Move forward vs. Forthcoming event.
part of the word
forth means onward, forthcoming is the adjective
Go forth vs. Forthcoming news.
part of the word
coming is a verb participle
He is coming vs. The forthcoming event.
Sentence Patterns
The [noun] is forthcoming.
The report is forthcoming.
He was forthcoming with [noun].
He was forthcoming with the truth.
The forthcoming [noun] will [verb].
The forthcoming meeting will start soon.
They were not forthcoming about [noun].
They were not forthcoming about the budget.
Is [noun] forthcoming?
Is the payment forthcoming?
Família de palavras
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Relacionado
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Erros comuns
Forthcoming only refers to the future.
Forward-coming is not a word.
Pronunciation error.
It is not a verb like 'to come'.
Only one 'm'.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a sign saying 'Coming Soon' and replace it with 'Forthcoming'.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it in emails to sound professional.
Cultural Insight
It implies a level of professional expectation.
Grammar Shortcut
It is always an adjective.
Say It Right
Stress the second syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for things that already happened.
Did You Know?
It has been around since the 1300s.
Study Smart
Pair it with 'event' or 'report' to practice.
Writing Tip
Use it to replace 'upcoming' for variety.
Speaking Tip
Use it to describe someone who is helpful.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think: 'Forth' (forward) + 'Coming' = Moving forward to arrive.
Visual Association
A train arriving at a station (the train is forthcoming).
Word Web
Desafio
Use the word in a sentence about your next holiday.
Origem da palavra
Old English
Original meaning: Coming forth or appearing
Contexto cultural
None, but can sound accusatory if used to say someone is 'not forthcoming'.
Used frequently in corporate and political contexts to describe transparency.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- forthcoming report
- forthcoming meeting
- not forthcoming with data
in news
- forthcoming election
- forthcoming visit
- forthcoming announcement
in interviews
- was very forthcoming
- was not forthcoming about past
in publishing
- forthcoming book
- forthcoming release
- forthcoming edition
Conversation Starters
"What is a forthcoming event you are excited about?"
"Do you find it easy to be forthcoming with your feelings?"
"Why do you think some people are not forthcoming?"
"What is a forthcoming book or movie you want to see?"
"How would you describe a forthcoming change in your life?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you had to be forthcoming.
Describe a forthcoming event you are planning.
Why is it important to be forthcoming in a relationship?
Reflect on a time someone was not forthcoming with you.
Perguntas frequentes
8 perguntasNo, it is an adjective.
No, it only refers to the future or current state.
Yes, it is slightly more formal than 'upcoming'.
It means someone is being secretive or unhelpful.
For-th-cum-ing.
Yes, like a book or event.
Yes, as someone who is honest.
Yes, especially in news and business.
Teste-se
The ___ concert is next week.
Forthcoming means future.
Which means the same as 'forthcoming'?
Upcoming is a synonym.
A person who is 'not forthcoming' is very talkative.
It means they are secretive.
Word
Significado
Matches meanings.
He was not forthcoming.
Pontuação: /5
Summary
Forthcoming means something is arriving soon or someone is ready to share information.
- Means 'happening soon'.
- Means 'willing to share info'.
- Used as an adjective.
- Common in formal settings.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a sign saying 'Coming Soon' and replace it with 'Forthcoming'.
When Native Speakers Use It
Use it in emails to sound professional.
Cultural Insight
It implies a level of professional expectation.
Grammar Shortcut
It is always an adjective.
Exemplo
I am excited about the forthcoming weekend trip to the mountains.
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