Forum: english.stackexchange.com
Tags: <word-choice><grammaticality><determiners>
Title: Do "in future" and "in the future" imply different meanings?
Question: Do in future and in the future imply different meanings? If so, using which one is grammatically correct?

Answers:
sents: text: He would be more careful in future.
text: They plan on getting married in the near future.
text: In the first sentence, "in future" means "from now on"; the NOAD says its use is chiefly British.
text: In the second sentence, "in the future" means "the time or a period of time following the moment of speaking or writing."
answer_details: author: english.stackexchange.com/users/252/kiamlaluno
score: 15
sents: text: In future is how they say it in the UK and India.
text: It is common and considered normal.
text: In future, we will avoid water beds.
text: In American English,
text: In future sounds strange; in the future is preferred or at least will get you fewer strange looks.
answer_details: author: english.stackexchange.com/users/107/Jared Updike
score: 10
sents: text: You may see "in future" when "future" is modifying a noun for which "in" is an appropriate preposition.
text: Fore example:
text: in future ______ shows plays events and etc.
answer_details: author: english.stackexchange.com/users/727/John Gietzen
score: 9
sents: text: In future is much more common in the UK and Ireland, as in
text: In future, be more careful.
text: In the US, we would tend to say
text: In the future, be more careful.
text: They mean exactly the same thing.
answer_details: author: english.stackexchange.com/users/None/
score: 6
sents: text: In future is commonly used in British English and is perfectly correct but has a different meaning than in the future .
text: In the future refers to an unspecified point in time, while in future means from now on.
text: It'a shame
text: I missed you when I popped round to see you yesterday.
text: I'll ring up beforehand in future .
text: In the future people will look back at the mobile phones we use today and laugh at their simplicity.
answer_details: author: english.stackexchange.com/users/84933/popup
score: 5
sents: text: Both forms are possible.
text: "In future" is often used in reprimands: In future please sign and date your letters
text: It is very general, talking about all times from now onwards.
text: You can find many examples on Google (search for "in future please take care").
text: "
text: In the future" is more neutral and more specific:
text: In the future I would like to go to Australia, but now I don't have enough money.
answer_details: author: english.stackexchange.com/users/None/
score: 3
sents: text: The difference is only in whether future is a noun or an adjective.
text: In the future, please be more careful and Please be more careful in the future both use future as a noun.
text: In future activities, please be more careful uses future to modify the noun activities.
text: To my knowledge is it not correct to say in future in the place of in the future.
answer_details: author: english.stackexchange.com/users/809/Warrior Bob
score: 1
sents: text: As far as grammar goes the difference between in future and in the future is contextual.
text: One usually comes across phrases like in future endeavours or in future meets where future serves as an adjective.
text: But if the reference is only to the times ahead, in the future would be correct and not in future .Thus,it would be correct to say:Be more careful in the future .or
text: There will come a time in the future when there will be no petroleum left on the planet.and incorrect to go with the other.
text: However,the spoken word in Britain and many former colonies where the influence of British English is enduring,it's not uncommon to come across simple notes that use in future .
text: Perhaps they find it more easy on their ears.
text: Nonetheless,grammatically wanting.
answer_details: author: english.stackexchange.com/users/26404/Saurabh Kishore
score: 1

Summary of the answers:
Both "in future" and "in the future" are possible, although "in future" is chiefly British and means "from now on". This would strange in American English. "In the future", on the other hand, means "the time or period of time following the moment of speaking or writing".
 "In the future" is more common in American English and "in future" in British English, but "in future" has the additional meaning of "from now on".
Both "in future" and "in the future" are possible, although "in future" is chiefly British and means "from now on". This would strange in American English. "In the future", on the other hand, means "the time or period of time following the moment of speaking or writing".
Both forms are possible. As far as grammar goes the difference between  in future  and  in the future  is contextual.  In the future  refers to an unspecified point in time, while  in future  means from now on.    In future  is much more common in the UK and Ireland, and India. "In future" is also often used in reprimands as in: In future please sign and date your letters   
In the future  refers to an unspecified point in time, while  in future  means from now on. "In future" may often be used in reprimands - for example: "In future please sign and date your letters".   However, it not correct to say  in future  in the place of  in the future, and the difference between these phrases  is contextual.
The answer to this question is subjective and will depend on the function of the word "future" in the sentence, as well as the regional dialect of English being spoken. "In future" is more common in British English and other parts of the world, for example. Some people see them as being largely equivalent, whereas others would reject "in future" as being completely incorrect.