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What is always coming but never arrives?

A time riddle about something permanently on its way. It is expected every single day and yet never actually shows up.

What is always coming but never arrives?

Reveal the answer

Tomorrow

When tomorrow comes, it becomes today.

How to solve it (spoilers)

How to think about it

  1. Something that is always coming must be defined relative to now, so that it moves as time moves.
  2. The hint points to the calendar. Which day is always one step ahead?
  3. The day after today. When it finally comes, it has turned into today, and a new one is waiting.
  4. Tomorrow is always coming and never arrives.

Why “Tomorrow” is the answer

Tomorrow is defined as the day after today, so the moment it arrives it is no longer tomorrow but today. There is always a new tomorrow one day ahead, which keeps it permanently “coming”. The riddle is a small lesson in how relative words like tomorrow and yesterday work.

Common wrong answers

  • The future. The future also never arrives, so it is a fair alternative; the calendar hint points to tomorrow.
  • A late bus. A late bus does eventually arrive, however long it takes.

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