Formation of the Future Continuous Tense

The Future Continuous tense in Serbian is formed using a combination of the auxiliary verb “бити” (to be) and the main verb in its present participle form. The auxiliary verb “бити” should be conjugated in the Future Simple tense, while the main verb should be conjugated into the present participle form (also known as “gerund” or -ing form in English). Let’s break down the formation process into three essential steps:

1. Conjugate the auxiliary verb “бити” in the Future Simple tense. To do this, you need to use the present tense forms of “ћу”, “ћеш”, “ће”, “ћемо”, “ћете”, and “ће” in correspondence with the personal pronoun.
2. Create the present participle form of the main verb. This requires adding the appropriate suffix “-ћи” (for verbs ending in “-ти”) or “-ући” (for verbs ending in “-и”or “-ћи”).
3. Combine the conjugated auxiliary verb and the main verb’s present participle form. Place the conjugated auxiliary verb before the main verb to form the Future Continuous tense.

Examples of Future Continuous Tense in Serbian Grammar

To provide a clearer understanding of how the Future Continuous tense functions in Serbian grammar, let’s explore some practical examples:

• Future Continuous tense of verb “гледати” (to watch):
  Ja ћу гледати
  Ti ћеш гледати
  On/она/оно ће гледати
  Mi ћемо гледати
  Vi ћете гледати
  Onи ће гледати
• Future Continuous tense of verb “читати” (to read):
  Ja ћу читати
  Ti ћеш читати
  On/она/оно ће читати
  Mi ћемо читати
  Vi ћете читати
  Onи ће читати

Usage and Rules for the Future Continuous Tense in Serbian Grammar

The Future Continuous tense serves several purposes in Serbian grammar, such as:

• Expressing future actions in progress. The tense is used to describe actions or events that will be ongoing or in progress at a specified time in the future.
• Describing future background events. The tense can also be used to indicate background events in the future that are not the primary focus of a narrative. For example, while describing a future event, you can use the Future Continuous tense to provide additional context.
• Showing polite requests or inquiries. Just like in English, the Future Continuous tense can be used in Serbian for making polite requests or inquiries regarding future events or actions.

When using the Future Continuous tense in Serbian grammar, it’s essential to pay close attention to the above rules and usages to ensure correct and effective communication.

Conclusion

Mastering the Future Continuous tense in Serbian grammar is a vital step in achieving fluency in the language. By understanding its formation, usage, and rules, learners can effectively express future events and actions in a comprehensive and accurate manner. Through dedicated practice and application, the Future Continuous tense will become an invaluable tool in navigating the complex world of Serbian grammar.