Watch and read: future tense with “gaan”
Watch the video about the future tense with gaan and read the explanation below.
Future tense with gaan
The verb gaan (to go) can be used to express an intention or a future tense.
This is the present tense of gaan:
| ik | ga |
| jij-je-u | gaat |
| hij-zij-het | gaat |
| wij-we | gaan |
| jullie | gaan |
| zij-ze | gaan |
Construction
The verb gaan behaves like a modal verb and so the construction follows the same pattern:
subject – gaan – rest – action verb
For example:
| Ik ga hardlopen. | I am going to run. |
| Over een half uur ga ik sporten. | In half an hour I am going to do some exercise. |
| We gaan in de stad wandelen. | We are going to walk in the city. |
Meaning
Sentences with gaan and an action verb express an intention, like ‘going to’:
| Wat gaan jullie doen? | What are you going to do? |
| Ik ga in de bibliotheek studeren. | I am going to study in the library. |
Practise with Quizlet
Would you like to practise Dutch grammar? Please visit our grammar section on the future tense with ‘gaan’ on Quizlet (if you prefer Quizlet to open in a separate window, click the CTRL key while clicking the link).
Do you have any questions about Dutch grammar? Follow the links below for more information. Share your comments and questions in the discussion below.
Reach your personal and professional goals
Unlock access to hundreds of expert online courses and degrees from top universities and educators to gain accredited qualifications and professional CV-building certificates.
Join over 18 million learners to launch, switch or build upon your career, all at your own pace, across a wide range of topic areas.
