9.2 The future Flashcards
As in English there is no obvious future tense (futurum) in Swedish. How is future time then represented in Swedish?
Future time is denoted by auxiliary verbs ‘kommer att’ or ‘ska’ followed by the main verb in the infinitive, or by the present tense.
What is the difference between the ‘kommer att’ and ‘ska’ construction?
The ‘kommer att’ construction is the basic one. it denotes a pure prediction or assumption about what will happen, in the future.
‘Ska’ is mainly used when the wishes (or intentions) of the subject or some other person affect what will happen.
Compare the following examples, which type of future construction is most appropriate:
Everybody will be here at 5 o’clock (I think)
Everybody is to be here at 5 o’clock (we have decided)
Everybody will be here at 5 o’clock (I think)
Alla kommer att vara här klockan 5.
Everybody is to be here at 5 o’clock (we have decided)
Alla ska vara här klockan 5.
Compare the following examples, which type of future construction is most appropriate:
Sven will die young (he has such poor health. Prediction)
Sven is going to die young (said by gunmen. Threat.)
Sven will die young (he has such poor health. Prediction)
Sven kommer att dö ung.
Sven is going to die young (said by gunmen. Threat.)
Sven ska dö ung.
Translate the following sentences with the correct future construction:
Sven is going to go home.
Kerstin will sell the car.
It will (is going to) rain tomorrow.
Sven ska resa hem.
Kerstin kommer att sälja bilen
Det kommer att regna imorgon
Translate the following sentences with the correct future construction:
Sven will go home.
Kerstin is going to sell the car.
I will open the window.
Sven kommer att resa hem.
Kerstin ska sälja bilen.
Jag ska öppna fönstret.
Which verb is used when it is a question of something that the subject of the verb is planning to do?
We are going to fly home
We’ll fly home (we are going to fly home)
The verb tänker + the infinitive is often used as an alternative to ska:
Vi tänker flyga hem
Vi ska flyga hem
If the context clearly shows that future time is meant, it is often possible to use the present in Swedish and English. Translate the following:
We’re going to the mountains on Saturday.
Vi reser till fjällen på lördag.
If the context clearly shows that future time is meant, it is often possible to use the present in Swedish and English. Translate the following:
It will certainly rain tomorrow.
Det regnar säkert imorgon.
If the context clearly shows that future time is meant, it is often possible to use the present in Swedish and English. Translate the following:
I won’t be here next week.
Jag är inte här nästa vecka.
Future time may be expressed in Swedish in the following ways:
Prediction about the future = ? + infinitive
The wish of the subject or someone else = ? + infinitive
The subject’s wish = ? + infinitive
The time is given by the context = ?
Prediction about the future = kommer att + infinitive
The wish of the subject or someone else = ska + infinitive
The subject’s wish = tänker + infinitive
The time is given by the context = present
