Future: present or skal/vil plus infinitive

Fact like future

Fact like or back ground future is expressed with plain present in Danish:
  • Det er påske næste uge It'll be Easter next week.
  • Subjective future

    Slightly uncertain, estimated or prophetic future is expressed with vil plus infinitive:
  • Det vil blive svært at finde adressen, hvis du ikke tager et kort med. It'll be difficult to find the adress if you don't bring a map
  • Toget vil være 5-10 minutter forsinket. The train will be 5-10 minutes late.
  • Structured future

    If you consider plans for the future, make suggestions for the future, regulate or instruct for the future you use skal plus infinitive:
  • Du skal aflevere bogen inden på mandag. You'll have to bring back the book before Monday.
  • Jeg synes vi skal fejre din fødselsdag i jacuzzien. I suggest, we'll celebrate your birthday in the jacuzzi


  • The most disturbing mistakes are overusing future with skal og vil. If you for example want to invite your friends to your birthday party, the party is allready a fact so you write: Jeg holder fødselsdag.. Writing Jeg skal holde fest would make the the recipient think that you for example have not found a date yet but want to discuss your plans or need a reciepi. Using vil would make the party somewhat uncertain, and your friends might expect to recieve the real invitation later.

    For a description of future in Danish, click here Write present form or vil/skal plus infinitive of the verb i paranthesis in the box
    Invitation

    Peter (have) fødselsdag i næste måned. Vi (holde) et surpriseparty for ham. Brian (hente) ham i bil, når han (komme) ud fra kontoret. Det (være) dejligt, hvis du (komme) og (gøre) aftenen festlig. Bare kom, som du (være) - du (have) tøj på, selvfølgelig - men det er ikke vigtigt, hvad du (tage) på. Og ingen gaver! Peter har allerede alt for mange ting. Festen (slutte) klokken 24, for Peter (arbejde) dagen efter.