Future Time Expressions

Introduction to Future Time Expressions

ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ ସମୟର ଅଭିବ୍ୟକ୍ତିଗୁଡ଼ିକ ବିଷୟରେ ଆମେ ଜାଣିବା। ଇଂରାଜୀରେ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ ପାଇଁ କୌଣସି ନିର୍ଦ୍ଦିଷ୍ଟ କ୍ରିୟା ରୂପ ନାହିଁ, ତେଣୁ ଆମେ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ଉପାୟରେ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ କଥା କହିଥାଉ।

In English, there is no single, specific verb form to express future time actions or states. Instead, various expressions are used to denote (ସୂଚାଇବା) future time. It's important to understand that while these expressions refer to future time, the tense of the verb form used might still be present. For example, in "Tina will arrive here soon," the time is future, but 'will arrive' is considered a present tense form of the modal auxiliary 'will'.

Common Future Time Expressions

ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ ସମୟକୁ ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିବା ପାଇଁ ବ୍ୟବହୃତ କିଛି ସାଧାରଣ ଅଭିବ୍ୟକ୍ତି ନିମ୍ନରେ ଦିଆଗଲା। ପ୍ରତ୍ୟେକର ବ୍ୟବହାର ଏବଂ ଉଦାହରଣକୁ ଭଲ ଭାବରେ ବୁଝନ୍ତୁ।

Here are the primary ways to express future actions and events:

• Will / Shall

  • Usage: Generally used for future actions that are unplanned, or decisions taken at the moment of speaking. Shall is typically used with I or we for plain future, permission, promise, or offer. Will is used for plain future, willingness, request, or prediction. When will is used with I/we, it means certainty or promise. When shall is used with you, he, she, it implies compulsion (ବାଧ୍ୟତା) or threat (ଧମକ).
  • Examples:
    • Wait a minute. I'll come with you. (Unplanned decision) [[3]]
    • We shall leave for Puri tomorrow. (Plain future) [[1]]
    • You shall do as I say. (Compulsion) [[3]]
    • I will help you as far as I can. (Certainty/Promise) [[8]]

• Be + going + to + V (Verb)

  • Usage: This expression is used for future actions when there is a present cause or indication (ସୂଚନା) that something will happen. It also expresses a future plan based on a present intention or decision, which can often be changed.
  • Examples:
    • There are dark clouds in the sky. It is going to rain. (Present indication) [[3]]
    • We are going to leave for Puri tomorrow morning. (Future plan based on present intention) [[3]]

• The Present Progressive (is/am/are + V-ing)

  • Usage: Used for a future action when we talk about a fixed plan, arrangement (ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା), or programme that is not easily changeable.
  • Examples:
    • We are leaving for Puri tomorrow morning. (Fixed arrangement) [[3]]
    • She is also coming with us. (Arrangement) [[5]]

• The Present Simple Tense

  • Usage: Used for a future action when we talk about an unchangeable plan, schedule (ସମୟସୂଚୀ), or timetable. The future is seen as a fact.
  • Examples:
    • Tomorrow is Sunday. (Fact) [[3]]
    • The train leaves at 9 a.m. (Unchangeable schedule) [[3]]
    • Our examination starts next week. (Fixed programme) [[3]]

• Be about to + V

  • Usage: Expresses an action that is going to happen very soon, in the immediate future.
  • Example: The teacher is about to leave the class. [[4]]

• Be + to + infinitive

  • Usage: Used to talk about arrangements, commands, or a contingent (ନିର୍ଭରଶୀଳ) future.
  • Examples:
    • They are to be married next month. (Arrangement) [[4]]
    • You are to be back by 5 p.m. (Command) [[4]]
    • If he is to succeed, he must work harder. (Contingent future) [[4]]

• Will be V-ing (Future Progressive)

  • Usage: Describes an action that will be in progress at a specific time in the future.
  • Example: Don't call me at 9 o'clock. I'll be having my dinner then. [[4]]

• Will have V-en (Future Perfect)

  • Usage: Describes an action that will be completed by a certain time in the future.
  • Example: You can ring me up at half past nine; I'll have finished my dinner by that time. [[4]]

Worked Example

ଏକ ଉଦାହରଣ ମାଧ୍ୟମରେ ବିଭିନ୍ନ ଭବିଷ୍ୟତ ଅଭିବ୍ୟକ୍ତିର ବ୍ୟବହାରକୁ ବୁଝିବା।

Question: Choose the correct future time expression for the following sentences:

1. Look at those dark clouds! It $\underline{\hspace{2cm}}$ (rain).
2. My flight $\underline{\hspace{2cm}}$ (depart) at 6 p.m. tomorrow.
3. I promise I $\underline{\hspace{2cm}}$ (not / tell) anyone your secret.
4. We $\underline{\hspace{2cm}}$ (have) a party next Saturday. Everything is arranged.

Answers:

1. Look at those dark clouds! It is going to rain. (Present indication) [[3]]
2. My flight departs at 6 p.m. tomorrow. (Fixed schedule/Present Simple) [[3]]
3. I promise I will not tell anyone your secret. (Promise/Will) [[8]]
4. We are having a party next Saturday. Everything is arranged. (Fixed arrangement/Present Progressive) [[3]]