zullen + Infinitive

Future with Zullen

Level 2

The verb zullen is a modal auxiliary used to talk about the future. Unlike English 'will', it is not the default way to talk about plans; instead, it adds a specific nuance like a promise, a prediction, or a suggestion.

How It Works

1. Conjugation
Zullen is an irregular modal verb. Note that the third-person singular does not take a -t:

  • Ik zal
  • Jij/u zult (or zal)
  • Hij/zij/het zal
  • Wij/jullie/zij zullen

Note: For the formal u, u zult is the standard in the entire Dutch-speaking area. In Belgium, u zal is also accepted as a neutral variant, whereas in the Netherlands it is perceived as informal. In questions, zult u is the standard in the Netherlands for both spoken and written contexts; zal u is specific to Belgian Dutch (Flemish). For the informal jij, zul je/jij is the standard form; zal je/jij is considered informal in the Netherlands but neutral in Belgium. Both follow the jij inversion rule.

2. Word Order
As a modal verb, zullen takes the second position in a main clause, while the main verb (in its infinitive form) moves to the very end of the sentence.

3. Specific Functions

  • Predictions: Based on intuition, forecasts, or general knowledge (e.g., 'Het zal morgen regenen').
  • Promises: A personal guarantee (e.g., 'Ik zal je helpen').
  • Suggestions: Used in questions like the English 'Shall we?' (e.g., Zullen we gaan?).
  • Probability: Often used with the particle wel to mean 'probably' (e.g., 'Hij zal er wel zijn').
  • Formal Obligation: Used in legal texts or contracts to indicate a requirement (e.g., 'De huurder zal de huur betalen').
  • Commands or Irritation: Used to give a stern order or express annoyance (e.g., 'Je zult nu luisteren!').

4. Zullen vs. Gaan
Use gaan for intentions, plans, or when there is visible evidence that something is about to happen (e.g., 'Het gaat regenen' because you see dark clouds). Use zullen for predictions based on intuition, formal promises, or forecasts where there is no immediate visible evidence. To express the 'future of the past' or hypothetical situations, zullen changes to its conditional form zou/zouden.

Examples (5)

  1. Ik zal je morgen bellen.

    I will call you tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I shall you tomorrow call.

    This expresses a promise or a firm commitment to perform an action.

  2. Het zal morgen regenen.

    It will rain tomorrow.

    Word by Word: It shall tomorrow rain.

    This is a prediction about the weather based on a forecast or intuition.

  3. Zullen we een kopje koffie drinken?

    Shall we have a cup of coffee?

    Word by Word: Shall we a cup coffee drink?

    In question form, 'zullen' is the standard way to make a suggestion.

  4. Zij zullen nu wel thuis zijn.

    They will likely be home by now.

    Word by Word: They shall now probably home be.

    When combined with 'wel', 'zullen' expresses a high probability or assumption.

  5. Zul je me helpen?

    Will you help me?

    Word by Word: Shall you me help?

    Note that when 'je' follows the verb, the -t is dropped from 'zult', becoming 'zul'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'zullen' for a plain plan.

    Different MeaningIk zal morgen naar de bioscoop gaan.
    Ik ga morgen naar de bioscoop.

    Ik zal morgen naar de bioscoop gaan is good Dutch, but it sounds like a promise or a decision made now. For a plain plan, gaan or the simple present is more common.

  • Adding a -t to the third-person singular form.

    Hij zalt komen.
    Hij zal komen.

    Like other modal verbs in Dutch, the third-person singular (hij/zij/het) does not take a -t ending.

  • Confusing 'zullen' (will) with 'willen' (want).

    Ik zal een ijsje.
    Ik wil een ijsje.

    English speakers often confuse these because 'willen' sounds like 'will'. However, 'willen' means 'to want', while 'zullen' indicates the future.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

zullen + InfinitiveLevel 2Future with Zullen

Learn This First

To use the future tense with 'zullen', you must first be familiar with the conjugation of the verb 'zullen' itself. Additionally, since this construction functions like a modal verb (placing the auxiliary in the V2 position and the main verb at the end), understanding the 'modal + infinitive' word order is essential.

Words in This Pattern

zullen