The future tense
Finnish doesn't really have a separate form of the verb to express the future tense. The present tense of the verb, combined with a reference to the time such as "huomenna" (tomorrow) gives the sense of future.
| Examples: |
| Luen joka päivä. |
| = I read every day. |
| Luen lehden tänä iltana. |
| = I'll read the paper tonight. |
If you want to emphasise the future, you can use the verb "aikoa". It means "to intend to".
| Examples: |
| Mitä ohjelmaa aiot katsoa? |
| = What program are you going to watch? |
| Mihin aiot mennä lomalle? |
| = Where are you going to go for the holidays? |
When the accusative object is used with the present tense, the action is in the future.
| Examples: |
| Luen kirjan. |
| = I'll read the book. |
| Katson elokuvan. |
| = I'll watch the movie. |
| Syön voileivän. |
| = I'll have a sandwich. |
| Related grammar |
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The verb types :
The imperative :
Vowel harmony : Negative present passive |