On the Upcoming vs. In the Upcoming – Which is Correct?
Both “on the upcoming” and “in the upcoming” can be correct, but they serve different grammatical purposes. Use “on” for a specific upcoming item or appearance, such as “on the upcoming episode.” Use “in” for something occurring within an upcoming period or event, such as “in the upcoming election period.”
The broader distinctions in Upcoming vs. Incoming vs. Oncoming can further clarify which future-oriented term fits.
On the upcoming or in the upcoming – Which is Correct?
Both phrases are grammatically valid, but the correct preposition depends on the noun and the intended meaning. “On the upcoming” usually introduces something connected with a scheduled program, episode, show, list, platform, or other specific item. For example, “The actor will appear on the upcoming episode.”
“In the upcoming” generally refers to something taking place within a future event, period, season, year, or process. For example, “The company will launch several products in the upcoming year.”
Neither phrase is normally complete by itself. Because upcoming is an adjective, it must usually modify a noun: “the upcoming meeting,” “the upcoming election,” or “the upcoming episode.”
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use on when you can imagine something appearing on a program, episode, list, or platform. Use in when you can imagine something happening inside a future period or event.
A simple swap test can help:
- If you could say “on the show,” “on the episode,” or “on the schedule,” choose on the upcoming.
- If you could say “during the future period” or “within the future event,” choose in the upcoming.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| on the upcoming | Prepositional phrase | Connected with a specific future item, appearance, or scheduled program | She will perform on the upcoming episode. |
| in the upcoming | Prepositional phrase | Taking place within a future period or event | Changes are expected in the upcoming election. |
How to Use On the Upcoming
“On the upcoming” is used when the following noun represents a specific scheduled item, broadcast, appearance, release, or presentation. The phrase often appears in entertainment, journalism, marketing, and announcements.
This construction is most natural when on has its familiar meaning of connection with a program or published item. For example, a guest appears on a television episode, a topic is discussed on a podcast, or a feature appears on a website.
Example 1: The director will discuss the project on the upcoming podcast.
Example 2: Fans will learn more about the character on the upcoming episode.
Example 3: The new safety rules will be featured on the upcoming news program.
Etymology of the phrase On the Upcoming
The phrase combines the preposition on, which has long expressed position, connection, or appearance through a medium, with the adjective upcoming. Upcoming developed from the verb phrase come up and came to mean approaching or scheduled to happen in the future.
How to Use In the Upcoming
“In the upcoming” is used when an action, change, or event will occur within a future time period or as part of a future event. It commonly modifies nouns such as week, month, year, season, election, meeting, and months.
This phrase emphasizes inclusion within something that has not happened yet. It is especially common in formal writing, business communication, news reports, public announcements, and academic discussions.
Example 1: The organization will announce its plans in the upcoming months.
Example 2: Voters will choose a new representative in the upcoming election.
Example 3: The company expects stronger sales in the upcoming holiday season.
Etymology of the phrase In the Upcoming
The phrase combines in, a preposition that expresses inclusion within a place, period, or situation, with the upcoming, meaning the future event or period being discussed. The adjective upcoming comes from the idea of something “coming up” or approaching in time.
Related Concepts
Understanding prepositions and adjective-noun combinations makes it easier to choose between these two phrases.
- Prepositions of time: Prepositions such as in, on, and at show how an action relates to time or an event. In often refers to periods, while on commonly identifies specific days, surfaces, programs, or occasions.
- Prepositions of connection: The word on can indicate participation in or appearance on a program, broadcast, platform, or publication, as in “on the podcast.”
- Adjective-noun combinations: Upcoming is an adjective and normally requires a noun after it. “The upcoming” alone is usually incomplete unless the noun is understood from context.
- Future-time expressions: Expressions such as in the upcoming week and during the upcoming year describe events expected to happen later.
Examples from Media and Literature
The following examples show how writers and speakers use each phrase in realistic media, entertainment, and public-information contexts:
- Television: “The lead actor will appear on the upcoming episode to discuss the series finale.”
- Podcasting: “Listeners can hear an interview with the author on the upcoming podcast.”
- Film journalism: “The review examines the themes explored in the upcoming film.”
- News reporting: “Several candidates have changed their positions in the upcoming election.”
- Publishing: “The writer will introduce a new character in the upcoming novel.”
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct phrase, on the upcoming or in the upcoming, to complete each sentence.
- The singer will perform ______ episode of the late-night show.
- The company plans to open three new offices ______ year.
- The journalist will interview the mayor ______ podcast.
- Several changes are expected ______ legislative session.
- The author will reveal the mystery ______ book.
Answer Key
- on the upcoming — The singer will perform on the upcoming episode of the late-night show.
- in the upcoming — The company plans to open three new offices in the upcoming year.
- on the upcoming — The journalist will interview the mayor on the upcoming podcast.
- in the upcoming — Several changes are expected in the upcoming legislative session.
- in the upcoming — The author will reveal the mystery in the upcoming book.
On the Upcoming Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| on the forthcoming | Connected with a specific item or program that will appear soon |
| on the next | Connected with the next scheduled episode, program, or installment |
| featured on the upcoming | Included or highlighted in a future program or presentation |
| scheduled for the upcoming | Planned for a specific future item or occasion |
In the Upcoming Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| during the upcoming | At some point within a future period or event |
| within the upcoming | Before the end of a future period or event |
| throughout the upcoming | Continuing across an entire future period |
| over the upcoming | Occurring across a future span of time |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “on the upcoming” grammatically correct?
Yes. It is correct when on refers to a specific program, episode, podcast, platform, or scheduled item. For example, “She will appear on the upcoming episode.”
Question 2: Is “in the upcoming” grammatically correct?
Yes. Use it for something occurring within a future period or event, such as “in the upcoming year” or “in the upcoming election.”
Question 3: Can I say “in the upcoming episode”?
Yes. “In the upcoming episode” means that something happens as part of the episode’s content. “On the upcoming episode” often emphasizes appearing on or participating in the program.
Question 4: Can “upcoming” be used without a noun?
Usually, no. Say “the upcoming meeting,” “the upcoming release,” or “the upcoming season.” In some informal contexts, “the upcoming” may function as a shortened noun phrase, but it is clearer to include the noun.
Conclusion
Both “on the upcoming” and “in the upcoming” are valid phrases. Choose on for appearances or connections with a specific program, episode, or platform. Choose in for events occurring within a future period or event. Pro tip: Using the precise preposition improves clarity and strengthens your professional reputation in formal writing.
