The future tense in Norwegian is pretty easy. In this article, I will help you understand the difference between the verbs skal and vil and introduce you to other ways of discussing the future.
Skal + infinitive
One of the ways to talk about something that will happen in the future is by using the modal verb skal and another verb in the infinitive.
We can use skal if:
- We’re talking about events that are planned or scheduled.
- We (or the subject of the sentence) control the event or the outcome.
Examples
Bussen skal komme klokka 14:00. – The bus will come at 14:00. (We’re talking about an event that’s scheduled. Someone (the bus operator) has planned this event and can, to a certain extent, control it).
Jeg skal jobbe i kveld. – I am going to work in the evening (it’s in my schedule).
Jeg skal sende deg en e-post senere. – I will send you an e-mail later (I am planning to do it and it’s in my control).
Vil + infinitive
Sometimes we use the modal verb vil to talk about the future. Contrary to skal, vil is used to describe events we can’t plan or control, things that simply happen to us, such as weather phenomena, sickness, or losing a job.
Examples
Det vil regne på fredag. – It will rain on Friday.
Ta på deg varme klær, ellers vil du bli syk. – Put warm clothes on, or you will get sick.
Hvis han kjører så fort, vil han miste lappen. – If he drives so fast, he will lose his drivers licence (while he has control over how fast he drives, he cannot control whether his licence will be taken).
Important!
Remember that vil has also another meaning – to want something. Sometimes you’ll have to tell from the context whether a sentence describes something that’ll happen in the future or someone’s wish. For example: Han vil lese Harry Potter can mean that he wants to read Harry Potter or that he is going to do it.
Kommer til å + infinitiv
We use kommer til å in the same situations as vil, which means when talking about future events we can’t control, that simply happen to us.
Kommer til å is less formal and predominantly used in the spoken language, while vil usually appears in written communication.
Examples
Jeg er kvalm, jeg tror jeg kommer til å bli syk. – I am nautious, I think I will be sick.
Han kommer til å miste jobben. – He will lose his job.
Present tense
Sometimes we can talk about the future by using the present tense. In this case, you have to mention the time when the action is happening, so it is clear you’re talking about the future, not the present time.
Examples
Vi går på kino neste fredag. – We are going to the cinema next Friday.
Han drar til Bergen i morgen. – Tomorrow he’s going to Bergen.
Neste uke jobber jeg hjemmefra. – Next week, I am working from home.
Vi går på kino neste fredag. – We are going to the cinema next Friday.
Han drar til Bergen i morgen. – Tomorrow he’s going to Bergen.
Neste uke jobber jeg hjemmefra. – Next week, I am working from home.
Talking about the future – Exercise
Which sentence is correct?
1. a. Hvis du holder på med å kjøre så fort, skal du ende opp i en ulykke.
b. Hvis du holder på med å kjøre så fort, vil du ende opp i en ulykke.
2. a. De kommer til å flytte snart.
b. De skal flytte snart.
3. a. Bussen kommer klokka 15:20.
b. Bussen vil komme klokka 15:20.’
4. a. Du ser blek ut, skal du bli syk?
b. Du ser blek ut, kommer du til å bli syk?
5. a. Jeg kan ikke komme på fest, jeg skal jobbe på lørdag.
b. Jeg kan ikke komme på fest, jeg vil jobbe på lørdag.
Click to check your answers.
1. B
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. A
English (UK) 
Polski
Leave a Reply