Language/Tagalog/Grammar/Future-Tense

Tagalog → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Future Tense

Welcome to the lesson on the Future Tense in Tagalog! Understanding how to express future events is crucial for effective communication, as it allows you to plan, predict, and share your aspirations. Whether you're discussing what you will do tomorrow or what you hope to achieve in the coming months, mastering the future tense will enhance your conversational skills in Tagalog.

In this lesson, we will dive into the following topics:

• Understanding the structure of the future tense in Tagalog

• Identifying and using different forms of future tense verbs

• Practicing with examples and exercises to reinforce your learning

By the end of this lesson, you should feel confident using the future tense in various contexts. Let’s get started!

Understanding the Future Tense

The future tense in Tagalog is used to denote actions that will happen in the future. It is typically formed by adding specific prefixes to the root of the verb. The most common prefixes for forming the future tense are "mag-", "mang-", "ma-", and "um-" depending on the type of verb.

1. Basic Structure of Future Tense

The structure for forming future tense sentences typically follows this pattern:

• Subject + Future Tense Verb + Object

== Examples of Future Tense Formation

Here’s a table showcasing different future tense verbs using the prefix "mag-", which is the most commonly used prefix:

Tagalog	Pronunciation	English
Kakain ako.	kaˈka.in aˈko	I will eat.
Mag-aaral siya.	maɡaˈraːl ˈʃa	He/She will study.
Maglalaro tayo.	maɡlaˈla.ro ˈta.jo	We will play.
Magbabayad ako.	maɡbaˈba.jad aˈko	I will pay.
Maglalakad sila.	maɡlaˈla.kad siˈla	They will walk.

In these examples, you can see how the prefix "mag-" changes the base verb to indicate a future action.

Types of Future Tense Verbs

In Tagalog, verbs can be classified into two main categories based on their conjugation: Regular Verbs and Irregular Verbs. Here's how to handle each type.

Regular Verbs

Regular verbs in Tagalog follow a predictable pattern when forming the future tense. Most of these verbs use the "mag-" prefix.

Examples of Regular Verbs:

Tagalog	Pronunciation	English
Maghuhugas ako.	maɡhuˈhuɡas aˈko	I will wash.
Magbabantay siya.	maɡbanˈtaɪ ˈʃa	He/She will watch.
Maglilinis tayo.	maɡliˈli.nis ˈta.jo	We will clean.
Maglalaba sila.	maɡlaˈla.ba siˈla	They will do laundry.
Magpapahinga ka.	maɡpaˈpa.hi.ŋa ka	You will rest.

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs don’t always follow the common patterns and might undergo changes in their spelling or structure.

Examples of Irregular Verbs:

Tagalog	Pronunciation	English
Aakyat ako.	aʔˈjaʔ aˈko	I will climb.
Oorder siya.	oˈor.ˈder ˈʃa	He/She will order.
Uuwi tayo.	uʔˈwi ˈta.jo	We will go home.
Iinom sila.	iˈi.nom siˈla	They will drink.
Bibilhin mo.	biˈbil.hin mo	You will buy.

Additional Notes on Future Tense

• Emphasis: You can emphasize the action by adding "lang" (just) or "talaga" (really) before the verb.

• Time Indicators: Words like "bukas" (tomorrow) or "mamaya" (later) can help specify when the action will take place.

Practice Scenarios

Now that we have discussed the structure and types of future tense verbs, let’s put your knowledge to the test with some exercises!

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences using the correct future tense verb form.

1. Mag __________ (luto) ako ng ulam. (I will cook a dish.)

2. __________ (sabi) niya na darating siya. (He/She said he/she will come.)

3. Mag __________ (tawag) ka sa kanya. (You will call him/her.)

4. __________ (pasok) sila sa paaralan. (They will enter school.)

5. Mag __________ (bili) tayo ng prutas. (We will buy fruits.)

Answers:

1. Magluluto

2. Sabi

3. Tatawag

4. Papasok

5. Bibilhin

Exercise 2: Choose the Correct Verb

Select the correct future tense verb to complete the sentences.

1. Mag __________ (aral) siya bukas. (He/She will study tomorrow.)

• a) aral

• b) mag-aaral

2. __________ (umarangkada) ang taxi. (The taxi will start.)

• a) umarangkada

• b) mag-umarangkada

3. Mag __________ (luto) kami ng spaghetti. (We will cook spaghetti.)

• a) luluto

• b) magluluto

Answers:

1. b) mag-aaral

2. a) umarangkada

3. b) magluluto

Exercise 3: Transform the Sentences

Transform the sentences from present tense to future tense.

1. Kumakain ako. → __________

2. Nag-aaral siya. → __________

3. Nagtatrabaho tayo. → __________

Answers:

1. Kakain ako.

2. Mag-aaral siya.

3. Magtatrabaho tayo.

Exercise 4: Translate to Tagalog

Translate the following sentences into Tagalog using the future tense.

1. I will travel next month.

2. They will attend the party.

3. You will finish your homework.

Answers:

1. Maglalakbay ako sa susunod na buwan.

2. Dadalo sila sa salu-salo.

3. Tatapusin mo ang iyong takdang-aralin.

Exercise 5: Write Sentences

Write five sentences using different future tense verbs. Use a mix of regular and irregular verbs.

Sample Answers:

1. Maglalaro ako ng basketball sa Linggo.

2. Uuwi kami mamaya.

3. Bibilhin mo ang libro bukas.

4. Mag-aaral siya sa unibersidad.

5. Maghuhugas ako ng pinggan pagkatapos kumain.

Exercise 6: Correct the Mistakes

Find and correct the errors in the following sentences.

1. Maglalaro kami sa park kagabi.

2. Mag-aaral siya ng araling bukas.

3. Uuwi sila na mamaya.

Answers:

1. Maglalaro kami sa park bukas.

2. Mag-aaral siya ng aralin bukas.

3. Uuwi sila mamaya.

Exercise 7: Match the Verb with the Subject

Match the future tense verbs with the correct subjects.

1. __________ (Maglalaro) a) Ako

2. __________ (Bibilhin) b) Siya

3. __________ (Kakain) c) Sila

Answers:

1. a) Maglalaro ako.

2. b) Bibilhin siya.

3. c) Kakain sila.

Exercise 8: Create Questions

Formulate questions in the future tense.

1. __________ (Kumain) ka sa restaurant?

2. __________ (Uuwi) siya mamaya?

3. __________ (Mag-aral) tayo bukas?

Answers:

1. Kakain ka sa restaurant?

2. Uuwi siya mamaya?

3. Mag-aaral tayo bukas?

Exercise 9: Role Play

In pairs, create a short dialogue using the future tense. One partner can ask questions while the other answers about future plans.

Sample Dialogue:

• A: Maglalakbay ka ba sa susunod na linggo?

• B: Oo, maglalakbay ako sa Cebu.

Exercise 10: Reflection

Write a short paragraph about your plans for the weekend using the future tense.

Sample Answer:

Sa weekend, mag-aaral ako ng Tagalog. Maglalaro kami ng basketball ng aking mga kaibigan. Pagkatapos, uuwi ako at manonood ng pelikula.

Congratulations on completing the exercises! Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you use the future tense in your conversations, the more fluent you will become. Keep practicing, and don’t hesitate to refer back to this lesson whenever you need a refresher!

Table of Contents - Tagalog Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Basic Greetings and Introductions

• Greetings and Farewells
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Basic Sentence Structure

• Subject-Verb-Object
• Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-20
• Days and Months
• Telling Time

  ---

Asking Questions

• Question Words
• Yes/No Questions

  ---

Everyday Activities

• Daily Routine
• Hobbies and Interests

  ---

Present Tense

• Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs

  ---

Food and Drink

• Common Foods
• Eating Out

  ---

Past Tense

• Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Asking for Directions

  ---

Future Tense

• Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs

  ---

Shopping and Services

• Shopping Vocabulary
• Banking and Postal Services

  ---

Filipino Customs and Traditions

• Festivals and Celebrations
• Family and Social Life

Sources

• How to Conjugate Filipino and Tagalog Verbs: Types and Tenses ...
• Tagalog grammar-past present and future tense | Study Tagalog

Other Lessons

• Nouns
• Pronouns
• How to Use Have
• Plurals
• Questions
• Conditional Mood
• Adjectives
• How to Use Be
• Give your Opinion