Language/Serbian/Grammar/Verbs:-Future-Tense

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Serbian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Pronouns: Possessive Pronouns → Verbs: Future Tense

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on the future tense in Serbian verbs! In this lesson, we will explore how to express future actions and events in Serbian. Understanding the future tense is crucial for effective communication in Serbian, as it allows us to talk about upcoming plans, intentions, and predictions. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid understanding of how to form and use the future tense in Serbian.

The future tense is an essential aspect of Serbian grammar, and it plays a significant role in everyday conversations. In this lesson, we will dive deep into the intricacies of the future tense, providing you with clear explanations, numerous examples, and engaging exercises to help you grasp the concept fully. So let's get started!

Forming the Future Tense

To form the future tense in Serbian, we generally use the auxiliary verb "će" (will) followed by the infinitive form of the main verb. The auxiliary verb "će" remains the same regardless of the subject, while the main verb takes its infinitive form without any changes. Let's take a look at some examples:

Serbian	Pronunciation	English
Ja ćeš putovati.	Ya chehsh poo-toh-va-tee	I will travel.
Ti ćeš učiti.	Tee chehsh oo-chee-tee	You will study.
On/Ona/Ono će jesti.	On/Ona/Ono cheh yeh-stee	He/She/It will eat.
Mi ćemo plesati.	Mee cheh-moh pleh-sa-tee	We will dance.
Vi ćete raditi.	Vee cheh-teh rah-dee-tee	You will work.
Oni/One/Ona će spavati.	Oh-nee/Oh-neh/Oh-na cheh spah-va-tee	They will sleep.

As you can see from the examples above, the auxiliary verb "će" does not change regardless of the subject. Only the main verb takes the infinitive form. This structure is quite straightforward and consistent in Serbian, making it relatively easy to form the future tense.

Usage of the Future Tense

1. Expressing Future Actions: The most common use of the future tense is to express actions or events that will happen in the future. Whether it's making plans, talking about future arrangements, or predicting future outcomes, the future tense allows us to convey these ideas effectively. Here are some examples:

• Sutra ću ići na fakultet. (Tomorrow, I will go to university.)
• Sledeće nedelje ćemo posetiti prijatelje. (Next week, we will visit our friends.)
• Za deset godina ćete biti uspešni. (In ten years, you will be successful.)

2. Making Predictions: The future tense is also used to make predictions or express assumptions about future events. By using the future tense, we can indicate that something is likely to happen based on current circumstances or logical reasoning. Here are a few examples:

• Verujem da će biti lepo vreme sutra. (I believe that the weather will be nice tomorrow.)
• Mislim da će ona postati poznata glumica. (I think she will become a famous actress.)
• Ako budeš učio redovno, sigurno ćeš položiti ispit. (If you study regularly, you will surely pass the exam.)

Cultural Insights

The usage of the future tense in Serbian is pretty standard and does not vary significantly across different regions. However, it is worth mentioning that the future tense is often used in the context of making plans and arrangements in Serbian culture. Serbians value punctuality and reliability, and it is common to discuss future events and commitments using the future tense. Additionally, the future tense is frequently used in Serbian literature, poetry, and songs to evoke a sense of anticipation and to express hopes and dreams.

One interesting cultural fact related to the future tense is the Serbian tradition of predicting the future using coffee grounds. This practice, known as "tasseography" or "kafomanija," involves interpreting patterns formed by coffee grounds left in a cup after drinking. It is believed that the shapes and symbols can reveal insights into a person's future. While not directly related to the grammar of the future tense, it showcases the cultural fascination with the concept of the future in Serbian society.

Exercises

Now it's time to put your knowledge of the future tense into practice! Complete the following exercises to reinforce what you have learned:

Exercise 1: Form the future tense for the following verbs: 1. go - ____ 2. eat - ____ 3. study - ____ 4. work - ____ 5. sleep - ____

Exercise 2: Translate the following sentences into Serbian using the future tense: 1. I will learn Serbian. 2. They will visit Belgrade next year. 3. Will you come to the party tomorrow? 4. We will have a great time at the concert. 5. She will read that book.

Exercise 3: Write three sentences in Serbian using the future tense to make predictions about the future.

Solutions: Exercise 1: 1. ići 2. jesti 3. učiti 4. raditi 5. spavati

Exercise 2: 1. Učiću srpski jezik. 2. Oni će posetiti Beograd sledeće godine. 3. Hoćeš li doći na žurku sutra? 4. Provešćemo se sjajno na koncertu. 5. Ona će pročitati tu knjigu.

Exercise 3: (Sample answers) 1. Sledeće godine će biti mnogo putovanja. 2. Verujem da će uspešno završiti fakultet. 3. Za pet godina će živeti u inostranstvu.

Take your time to complete the exercises, and don't hesitate to review the explanations and examples if needed.

Table of Contents - Serbian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Serbian Grammar

• Nouns: Gender and Number
• Cases: Nominative and Accusative
• Pronouns: Personal Pronouns
• Verbs: Present Tense
• Verbs: Past Tense

  ---

Introduction to Serbian Vocabulary

• Greetings and Introductions
• Numbers and Counting
• Food and Drink
• Family and Relationships
• Transportation and Directions

  ---

Introduction to Serbian Culture

• Traditional Serbian Music
• Religious Festivals
• Folk Dances
• Serbian Films
• Cuisine

  ---

Pronouns: Possessive Pronouns

• Verbs: Future Tense
• Adjectives: Comparative and Superlative
• Verbs: Imperative

  ---

Shopping

• Clothes and Accessories
• At the Market
• Banking and Money

  ---

Sports and Recreation

• Football in Serbia
• Winter Sports
• Music Festivals

  ---

Adjectives: Declension

• Verbs: Perfective and Imperfective
• Verbs: Reflexive Verbs

  ---

Jobs and Professions

• Places around Town
• Education and Learning

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Literature and Poetry

• Medieval Serbian Literature
• Contemporary Serbian Poetry

  ---

Verbs: Conditional

• Verbs: Participles
• Verbs: Infinitives

  ---

Entertainment and Media

• Movies and Theater
• Music and Performances

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Art and Artists

• Famous Serbian Painters
• Contemporary Serbian Art Scene

Sources

• All Shapes of the Future Tense in Serbian and Croatian Language ...
• The Future Tense In Serbian: Easily Explained | Belgrade Language ...
• THE SERBIAN FUTURE TENSE (BUDUĆE VREME)

Other Lessons

• Adjectives
• How to Use Be
• Gender
• Pronouns
• Present Tense
• Verbs: Past Tense
• Verbs: Present Tense
• Nouns
• Imperative Tense
• Indefinite Articles in Serbian

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