"in future" and "in the future"

Posted by HGL March 20, 2003In reply to "in future" and "in the future" posted by R. Berg on March 19, 2003

What is the difference between "in future" and "in the future", if any? Thanks.

'In future' tends to mean 'from now on': 'starting right now':'immediately'.
'In the future' tend to means some time in the future, but not immediately.

I didn't know UK speakers made that distinction. I thought "in future" was British and "in the future" was American.

Per Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary: "in future, from this time onwards"

Per Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English: "in future (used esp. in giving warnings) from now on"

However, neither dictionary mentions "in the future". That is why I raised the question. James Brigg's answer seems very correct to me. Thanks.