The future tenses (SKA or KOMMER ATT) Posted by Tibor on Apr 14, 2012 in Grammar, Swedish Language
There are three ways to express future actions in the Swedish language.
| Present Simple + Adverb/s of time. | SKA | KOMMER ATT |
| In most languages you can use the Present Tense for expressing future action as well. But then of course you need some kind of cursor or to add something extra to make your sentence different from Present Tenses.
Ex: Jag flyger. (nu) Jag flyger I morgon. (future) I am flying. (right now) I am flying tomorrow. (future) |
SKA + infinitive form of the second verb in the sentence.
Jag ska åka till New York. I will fly to New York.
Jag ska göra det i morgon. I will do it tomorrow.
There are two forms that are used in the Swedish language. The more common SKA (both in written and spoken language) and the less common, older and mainly used bureaucratical or old texts SKALL. (only in written language)
Ex: Du skall inte stjäla. Ex: You shall not steal. (The Bible)
Ex: Av ansökan skall framgå från vilken tidpunkt utträde önskas. (Text of a law firm)
It shall appear in the application which start date the withdrawal is desired from.
However, one thing is very important; be always consequent whenever using these forms. Never mix the two forms when you write. SKA expresses your own subjective willingness i.e. what you want to do in the future. It is always subjective and sure. |
It talks about something that is more objective and a bit unsure. Expressions like
Are often followed by KOMMER ATT.
Ex: Jag vet inte om maten kommer att räcka. I don´t know whether the food is going to be enough.
Ex: Jag tror att det kommer att regna. I think it´s going to rain.
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Comments:
Meic Lorens:
“be always consequent”- “always be consistent”?
Konsekvent is a false friend.
Keep up the good work!
Jennifer:
Extremely helpful article! Thank you for sharing this!