Understanding the Structure of Swedish Future Tense (kommer att)

Swedish grammar, specifically the future tense (known as kommer att), plays a vital role in conveying intended actions or events that have yet to occur. While Swedish grammar may lack a distinct future tense, the construction kommer att serves as an essential component to form sentences about future events.

Constructing Sentences with Kommer att

The kommer att construction consists of two distinct parts: kommer, the auxiliary verb meaning “will” or “come,” and att as an infinitive marker. The combination of these two elements creates a sense of futurity in the sentence.

Examples:

• Vi kommer att resa till Sverige i sommar. (We will travel to Sweden in the summer.)
• De kommer att bygga ett nytt hus. (They will build a new house.)

When to Use Kommer att in Context

In Swedish, the usage of kommer att is primarily employed when expressing future plans or intentions, as well as to convey predictions and expectations.

Examples:

• Han kommer att bli en framgångsrik affärsman. (He will become a successful businessman.)
• Det kommer att regna imorgon. (It will rain tomorrow.)

Alternative Swedish Future Constructions

In addition to the kommer att structure, Swedish grammar offers other methods to convey the future tense. These alternative constructions are context-dependent and frequently used in everyday speech or writing.

The Present Tense as Future

Swedish often employs the present tense to indicate future occurrence, particularly when discussing events with a definite time frame.

Examples:

• Vi åker till London nästa vecka. (We are going to London next week.)
• Festen börjar kl. 20:00. (The party starts at 8 PM.)

The Verb “Ska” and “Tänker”

The auxiliary verbs ska and tänker also function to express future actions, usually related to decisions, intentions, or plans.

Examples:

• Jag ska köpa en ny bil. (I am going to buy a new car.)
• De tänker gifta sig i sommar. (They plan to get married in the summer.)

Final Thoughts on Swedish Future Tense (kommer att)

In summary, the kommer att construction is an essential component of Swedish grammar when expressing future occurrences or intentions. Additionally, alternative constructions such as the present tense for future events and auxiliary verbs like ska and tänker also play a significant role in forming future tense sentences.

By understanding and utilizing these various constructions, learners of Swedish can effectively communicate future plans and predictions, providing much-needed clarity and enhancing the overall quality of their speech and writing.