Near future (grammar)

The near future, also known as the immediate future or imminent future, is a grammatical construction used in many languages to express actions or events that are expected to happen very soon, often within a short timeframe such as the next few hours, days, or weeks. It typically implies a higher degree of certainty or anticipation than simply using the future tense.

The formation of the near future varies significantly across languages. However, a common pattern involves using an auxiliary verb expressing intention or proximity, often a form of "to go" or "to be about to," followed by the infinitive form of the main verb. This structure emphasizes the intention or plan to perform the action in the very near future.

For example, in English, a common way to express the near future is with the phrase "going to" + verb. In French, the "futur proche" (near future) is formed with "aller" (to go) + infinitive. Similar constructions exist in Spanish with "ir a" (to go to) + infinitive, and in Italian with "stare per" (to be about to) + infinitive.

The distinction between the near future and other future tenses can be subtle and context-dependent. While the simple future often expresses a general expectation or prediction about the future, the near future tends to indicate a more immediate plan or intention, and a greater likelihood of the event occurring. The specific timeframe considered "near" can also vary depending on the context and the speaker's perspective.

The use of the near future can also convey a sense of immediacy or urgency, suggesting that the action is about to begin or will happen very soon. This contrasts with the more distant or uncertain implications of other future tenses.