Future Tense (Tegenwoordige Toekomende Tijd - T.T.T.) (A2)

What it is: The Future Tense is used to talk about actions, events, or states that will happen in the future. Dutch has a couple of common ways to express the future, especially at the A2 level.

Method 1: Using 'zullen' + Infinitive

This is the most direct way to form the future tense, similar to using "will" or "shall" in English. It's used for predictions, promises, intentions, and formal statements about the future.

• Formation: Subject + Conjugated 'zullen' + ... (rest of sentence) ... + Infinitive

• 'Zullen' Conjugation:
• ik zal
• jij/u/hij/zij/het zal
• wij/jullie/zij zullen

• Examples:
• Ik zal morgen naar de dokter gaan. (I will go to the doctor tomorrow.)
• Het zal waarschijnlijk regenen. (It will probably rain. - Prediction)
• Wij zullen je helpen. (We will help you. - Promise/Intention)
• Zij zullen volgende week beginnen. (They will start next week.)
• Zal hij op tijd komen? (Will he come on time? - Question)

Method 2: Using Present Tense + Time Indication

Very often in spoken Dutch, especially for plans and scheduled events, the simple present tense is used to talk about the future. A time word (like morgen, vanavond, volgende week, etc.) makes it clear that you're referring to the future.

• Formation: Subject + Present Tense Verb + Time Indication + ...

• Examples:
• Ik ga morgen naar de dokter. (I am going to the doctor tomorrow.) - Compare with Ik zal gaan...
• Wij eten vanavond pizza. (We are eating pizza tonight.)
• Zij begint volgende week met haar nieuwe baan. (She starts her new job next week.)
• Kom je morgen naar het feestje? (Are you coming to the party tomorrow?)

When to Use Which? (A2 Guidelines)

• Zullen + Infinitive: Use for predictions, promises, formal statements, or when you want to emphasize the future intention (like English "will").
• Present Tense + Time: Very common for plans, appointments, and scheduled events in the near future. Sounds natural in conversation.

A2 Level Focus:

• Recognize and understand both ways of expressing the future.
• Practice forming the future with zullen + infinitive.
• Get comfortable using the present tense with a future time indication, as it's very common in daily speech.

Key Points:

• Future tense talks about future events.
• Method 1: zullen (conjugated) + infinitive (at the end).
• Method 2: Present Tense verb + future time word (e.g., morgen, volgend jaar).
• Present tense for future plans is very common in spoken Dutch.