In future vs later on

Are both of these sentences correct to say:

  • I can give it to you in case you may need it later.
  • I can give it to you in case you may need it in future.

If so is there any difference between these two?

Answer

Although I don’t think it is exactly wrong to say “in future”, the phrase people usually use (at least in US English — not sure about other places) is, “in the future”.

Except for that, both sentences are correct. In my own opinion, they both would sound a little more idiomatic and natural if the word “may” were omitted:

I can give it to you in case you need it later.

I can give it to you in case you need it in the future.

But that is probably just a matter of personal preference.

Both sentences have very similar meanings, but the use of “in the future”, in the second sentence, implies a fairly distant future. “In the future” would probably not be used to describe tomorrow or later today. That phrase would usually indicate a time at least a few months away, and maybe even years later.

On the other hand, your first sentence, with “later”, could be used for just about any time frame.

Attribution
Source : Link , Question Author : blablaalb , Answer Author : Lorel C.

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