Learning to use the future tense is a crucial part of mastering any language. In Finnish, one of the key verbs you’ll encounter is “tulla,” which translates to “come” in English. However, “tulla” is also essential in forming the future tense in Finnish. Understanding how to use “tulla” to express future actions will significantly improve your fluency and comprehension. In this article, we’ll delve deep into the mechanics of using “tulla” to talk about the future, explore its various conjugations, and look at practical examples to help you get the hang of it.
Understanding “Tulla” and Its Role
In Finnish, the concept of the future tense is not as explicitly marked as it is in English. Finnish often relies on context and other verbs to indicate future actions. One of the most commonly used verbs for this purpose is “tulla.” While “tulla” primarily means “to come,” it is frequently used in combination with another verb to indicate a future action.
For instance:
– “Minä tulen tekemään sen.” – “I will do it.”
Here, “tulen” (the first-person singular form of “tulla”) is used alongside “tekemään” (the third infinitive form of “tehdä,” meaning “to do”) to indicate a future action.
Conjugation of “Tulla”
To use “tulla” effectively in the future tense, you need to know how to conjugate it in different forms. Below is a quick reference to the conjugation of “tulla” in the present tense, which is used to indicate future actions.
– Minä tulen – I will come
– Sinä tulet – You will come
– Hän tulee – He/She will come
– Me tulemme – We will come
– Te tulette – You (plural/formal) will come
– He tulevat – They will come
These conjugations are used in combination with the infinitive form of another verb to express future actions.
Forming Future Tense with “Tulla”
To form the future tense using “tulla,” you generally follow this structure:
**Subject + Conjugated form of “tulla” + Third Infinitive of the Main Verb**
Let’s break this down with a few examples:
1. “Minä tulen lukemaan kirjan.” – “I will read the book.”
– “Minä” (I) is the subject.
– “Tulen” is the first-person singular form of “tulla.”
– “Lukemaan” is the third infinitive form of “lukea” (to read).
2. “Sinä tulet syömään illallista.” – “You will eat dinner.”
– “Sinä” (you) is the subject.
– “Tulet” is the second-person singular form of “tulla.”
– “Syömään” is the third infinitive form of “syödä” (to eat).
3. “He tulevat matkustamaan Italiaan.” – “They will travel to Italy.”
– “He” (they) is the subject.
– “Tulevat” is the third-person plural form of “tulla.”
– “Matkustamaan” is the third infinitive form of “matkustaa” (to travel).
Usage in Different Contexts
The use of “tulla” to indicate future actions can be seen in various contexts, from everyday conversations to formal writing. Here are some examples to illustrate its versatility:
1. **Everyday Conversation:**
– “Me tulemme tapaamaan ystäviä huomenna.” – “We will meet friends tomorrow.”
– “Hän tulee auttamaan sinua myöhemmin.” – “He/She will help you later.”
2. **Formal Writing:**
– “Yritys tulee julkaisemaan uuden tuotteen ensi kuussa.” – “The company will launch a new product next month.”
– “Hallitus tulee tekemään päätöksen pian.” – “The government will make a decision soon.”
3. **Questions:**
– “Tuletko sinä mukaan elokuviin?” – “Will you come to the movies?”
– “Milloin he tulevat takaisin?” – “When will they come back?”
Special Cases and Variations
While the structure mentioned above is the most common way to form the future tense using “tulla,” there are some variations and special cases to be aware of.
Negative Sentences
To form a negative sentence in the future tense with “tulla,” you use the negative form of “tulla” followed by the third infinitive of the main verb:
– “Minä en tule tekemään sitä.” – “I will not do it.”
– “En tule” is the negative form of “tulen.”
– “He eivät tule osallistumaan.” – “They will not participate.”
– “Eivät tule” is the negative form of “tulevat.”
Passive Voice
In the passive voice, the future tense with “tulla” is formed differently. Here, the verb “tulla” is used in its passive form, followed by the active form of the main verb:
– “Se tullaan tekemään huomenna.” – “It will be done tomorrow.”
– “Tullaan” is the passive form of “tulla.”
– “Asia tullaan käsittelemään myöhemmin.” – “The matter will be addressed later.”
– “Tullaan” again serves as the passive form.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
As with learning any new grammatical structure, there are common mistakes that learners tend to make when using “tulla” to indicate future actions. Here are a few pitfalls and tips on how to avoid them:
Incorrect Infinitive Forms
One common mistake is using the wrong form of the infinitive verb. Remember that when using “tulla” to indicate future actions, you need to use the third infinitive form of the main verb.
– Incorrect: “Minä tulen lukea kirjan.”
– Correct: “Minä tulen lukemaan kirjan.”
Omitting “Tulla”
Some learners mistakenly omit the verb “tulla,” thinking that the main verb alone can indicate the future tense. In Finnish, this is not the case.
– Incorrect: “Minä luen kirjan.” (This means “I read the book” in the present tense, not future.)
– Correct: “Minä tulen lukemaan kirjan.”
Incorrect Conjugation of “Tulla”
Ensure that you are using the correct conjugated form of “tulla” based on the subject of the sentence.
– Incorrect: “Hän tulen auttamaan sinua.” (Using “tulen” instead of “tulee”)
– Correct: “Hän tulee auttamaan sinua.”
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to become proficient in using “tulla” to express future actions is through consistent practice. Here are some exercises you can try:
Exercise 1: Translate Sentences
Translate the following sentences into Finnish using “tulla” to indicate future actions.
1. I will visit my grandparents next weekend.
2. You will study for the exam tomorrow.
3. They will move to a new house next month.
4. We will start the project soon.
5. She will buy a new car next year.
Exercise 2: Create Your Own Sentences
Write five sentences in Finnish using “tulla” to indicate future actions. Try to use a variety of subjects and verbs.
Exercise 3: Negative Sentences
Convert the following sentences into negative sentences, indicating that the action will not happen in the future.
1. Hän tulee lukemaan kirjan.
2. Me tulemme syömään illallista.
3. He tulevat matkustamaan Italiaan.
4. Sinä tulet auttamaan minua.
5. Minä tulen osallistumaan kokoukseen.
Conclusion
Mastering the use of “tulla” to indicate future actions in Finnish is an essential step toward achieving fluency. By understanding its conjugations, practicing its use in different contexts, and being aware of common mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to using the future tense naturally and accurately. Remember, language learning is a journey, and each step you take brings you closer to your goal. Keep practicing, stay curious, and enjoy the process of discovering the nuances of the Finnish language.
