Language/Norwegian-bokmal/Grammar/Future-tense-verbs

Norwegian Bokmål → Grammar → Future tense verbs

As a Norwegian Bokmål language teacher with extensive experience, I understand the importance of mastering the future tense of Norwegian Bokmål verbs. In this lesson, you will learn about the rules and usage of future tense in Norwegian Bokmål.

Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: 0 to A1 Course & Infinitive and present participle forms.

Overview

The future tense is used when we want to talk about something that has not yet happened but will happen in the future. In Norwegian Bokmål, there are two ways to form the future tense: the auxiliary verb 'skal' and the auxiliary verb 'vil'. Both auxiliary verbs are followed by the infinitive form of the main verb.

Example:

• Jeg skal spise middag. (I will eat dinner.)
• Han vil reise til Norge. (He will travel to Norway.)

It's important to note that the use of 'skal' or 'vil' in the future tense depends on the speaker's intention or prediction. 'Skal' is used for actions that will definitely happen, while 'vil' is used for actions that are likely to happen but not confirmed.

Example:

• Jeg skal ta bussen til jobb. (I will take the bus to work.)
• Vi vil dra på ferie neste måned. (We will go on vacation next month.)

Formation of future tense

Using 'skal'

The auxiliary verb 'skal' is used to express a certain or planned future action. It is conjugated as follows:

Person	Skal (auxiliary verb)	Infinitive verb	Translation
Jeg	skal	spise	I will eat
Du	skal	spise	You will eat
Han/Hun/Den/Det	skal	spise	He/She/It/That will eat
Vi	skal	spise	We will eat
Dere	skal	spise	You (plural) will eat
De	skal	spise	They will eat

Example:

• Jeg skal besøke min bestemor. (I will visit my grandmother.)

Using 'vil'

The auxiliary verb 'vil' is used to express a probable or possible future action. It is conjugated as follows:

Person	Vil (auxiliary verb)	Infinitive verb	Translation
Jeg	vil	spise	I will eat
Du	vil	spise	You will eat
Han/Hun/Den/Det	vil	spise	He/She/It/That will eat
Vi	vil	spise	We will eat
Dere	vil	spise	You (plural) will eat
De	vil	spise	They will eat

Example:

• Han vil være en astronaut når han blir stor. (He will be an astronaut when he grows up.)

Negation of future tense

To form the negative future tense, we use 'ikke' after the auxiliary verb.

Example:

• Jeg skal ikke spise kjøtt. (I will not eat meat.)

Questions in the future tense

To form a question in the future tense, we switch the order of the auxiliary verb and subject.

Example:

• Skal du besøke familien din i helgen? (Will you visit your family this weekend?)

Usage of future tense

The future tense is used in various situations, including:

• Describing plans or intended actions.

Example: Jeg skal reise til Paris neste uke. (I will travel to Paris next week.)

• Making predictions or expressing assumptions about future events.

Example: Jeg tror han vil få jobben. (I think he will get the job.)

• Expressing hypothetical situations or conditional statements.

Example: Hvis jeg vinner i lotto, skal jeg kjøpe en ny bil. (If I win the lottery, I will buy a new car.)

Conclusion

In this lesson, you have learned about the future tense of Norwegian Bokmål verbs, including the formation and usage of the auxiliary verbs 'skal' and 'vil'. Remember that 'skal' is used for definite or planned actions, while 'vil' is used for probable or possible actions. Use your knowledge of future tense to express your plans and predictions in Norwegian Bokmål!

Excellent job on conquering this lesson! Consider delving into these related pages: Gender and Definite Articles & Plurals.

Other Lessons

• Definite and indefinite forms of nouns
• Future Tense
• Pronouns
• Formal writing and communication
• 0 to A1 Course
• Give your Opinion
• Present tense verbs
• Indirect speech
• Negation
• Basic sentence structure