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Future aspect - Toekomende tijdIntroductionIn Dutch, there is no separate tense which expresses future events. However, it is possible to express that things are to happen in the future. This can be done in a number of different ways.
One way to express the future in Dutch is to use the present tense of the verb gaan (‘to go'), normally accompanied by an indication of a future time (e.g. the adverb ‘tomorrow' or the adverbial phrase ‘in October'). Another way of expressing the future is to use the auxiliary verb zullen. Lastly, it is possible to express the future aspect by using any verb in the present tense with an indication of time. Future with present tense of gaanA way to express that something will definitely happen in the future, is to use the present tense of the verb gaan.
Usually an indication of time (e.g. an adverb of time) is also added, but this is not compulsory. In these cases, gaan is an auxiliary verb and therefore requires the infinitive of another verb. The time element is underlined in the examples below:
Note that where the lexical verb is gaan, as in the last example, gaan does not need to be added again to express future (*Morgen ga ik naar de dierentuin gaan is incorrect, even though it can be heard in Flemish dialects). Future with present tense of zullenYou can use zullen to talk about the future. Note that in a declarative sentence this use implies an element of promise, prediction or intention, rather than being a 'simple' future. In interrogatives however, it carries the meaning of a suggestion.
A time element (e.g. an adverb of time) is optional here. Note that because zullen is a modal verb, there is normally an infinitive in the sentence:
Zullen is irregular in the present tense:
Future with present tense of other verbs + time elementIt is possible to express the
future using the present
tense of any lexical verb with a compulsory indication of the future (e.g. an adverb of time). The
time element is underlined in the examples below:
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