"in due course"是英语中常用的副词短语,字面可理解为“在适当的进程中”,实际表达的是:在适当的时候、到时候、适时、按自然规律/流程发生。
它强调事情会在“合理、自然的时间点”出现,无需着急或催促,带有“按部就班、水到渠成”的意味。
作为副词短语,它通常在句中作状语,修饰动词或整个句子,位置灵活(句首、句中、句尾均可),且适用于正式/半正式语境(工作、商务、日常对话都常用)。
工作/商务(告知流程、进度):
Your job application will be processed in due course.(你的求职申请会在适当的时候处理。)
We'll send you the contract in due course.(我们会适时把合同寄给你。)
日常对话(安抚、说明结果):
Don't panic—your package will arrive in due course.(别慌,你的包裹会按时到的。)
The doctor will call you with the test results in due course.(医生会在适当的时候打电话告诉你检查结果。)
正式场合(公告、声明):
The details of the plan will be released in due course.(计划的细节会在适当的时候公布。)
In due course, the committee will announce its decision.(届时委员会会宣布决定。)
句尾(最常见):We will get back to you in due course.(我们会适时回复你。)
句中:The report will be finalized in due course and shared with everyone.(报告将适时定稿并分享给所有人。)
句首:In due course, you'll realize why this decision was necessary.(到时候你会明白这个决定的必要性。)
in good time:更强调“提前、不迟到”(比如"Finish the work in good time"是“及时完成工作”),而"in due course"侧重“自然进程中的适当时间”。
eventually:强调“最终、到头来”(比如"He eventually quit his job"是“他最终辞职了”),但"in due course"更突出“按流程发生,无需等待过久”。
in time:可表示“及时”(比如"Get there in time"是“及时赶到”)或“迟早”(比如"You'll learn it in time"是“你迟早会学会的”),但"in due course"更正式,且隐含“合理、不匆忙”的态度。
不能修饰名词:比如不说"an in due course reply",应说"a reply in due course"(适时的回复)。
不要混淆"due"的其他用法:此处"due"是“适当的”,不是“到期的”(比如"due date"是“截止日期”)。
总结:"in due course"是一个实用的“时间副词短语”,用于表达“事情会在合理时间发生”,尤其适合需要“安抚、说明流程”的场景,记住它的核心是“自然、适当”,而非“紧急或延迟”。