fog + Infinitive

Future with Fog

Level 2

Hungarian uses the auxiliary verb fog + an infinitive (ending in -ni) to talk about the future. While the present tense is often used for the future, fog makes the timing explicit and certain.

How It Works

In Hungarian, the future is often expressed using the present tense combined with a time adverb. However, the fog + infinitive construction is used when you want to be very clear that something will happen, or when making predictions. You can also use the adverb majd (later/sometime) with the present tense for a less definite future.

1. Conjugating 'fog'
The verb fog must match the subject and the object's definiteness:

  • Indefinite: fogok, fogsz, fog, fogunk, fogtok, fognak
  • Definite: fogom, fogod, fogja, fogjuk, fogjátok, fogják
  • Special 'I-You' form: foglak (I will ... you)

2. Word Order and Prefixes
In a neutral, positive sentence, if the verb has a verbal prefix (like meg-, el-, ki-), the prefix must separate and move before fog. This is known as prefix climbing.

Crucially, if the sentence is negative (using nem), this climbing does not happen; the prefix stays attached to the infinitive (e.g., Nem fogok elmenni).

3. The Verb 'To Be'
Note that the verb 'to be' (van) has its own unique future form, lesz, so fogok lenni is rarely used.

Examples (5)

  1. Holnap esni fog az eső.

    It will rain tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Tomorrow to-rain will the rain.

    A standard prediction using the indefinite third-person singular form 'fog'.

  2. Meg fogom nézni a filmet.

    I will watch the movie.

    Word by Word: [Prefix] will-I to-watch the movie.

    Here, 'fogom' is in the definite conjugation because 'the movie' is a definite object. Notice how the prefix 'meg-' moves before 'fogom'.

  3. Nem fogok elmenni a buliba.

    I will not go to the party.

    Word by Word: Not will-I away-to-go the party-into.

    In negative sentences, the verbal prefix stays attached to the infinitive and does not move before 'fog'.

  4. Fel foglak hívni holnap.

    I will call you tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Up will-I-you to-call tomorrow.

    This uses the special -lak/-lek ending ('foglak') used when 'I' am doing something to 'you'.

  5. Majd felhívlak.

    I'll call you (later).

    Word by Word: Later up-call-I-you.

    The adverb 'majd' is a common alternative to 'fog' for expressing a less immediate or less certain future.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the verbal prefix attached to the infinitive in positive sentences.

    Fogok elmenni holnap.
    El fogok menni holnap.

    In neutral, positive sentences, the verbal prefix must move to the position before the auxiliary verb 'fog'. This is called prefix climbing.

  • Separating the prefix in a negative sentence.

    Nem el fogok menni.
    Nem fogok elmenni.

    When using negation, the prefix does not climb; it stays attached to the infinitive verb.

  • Using the wrong conjugation for 'fog' based on the object.

    Fogok olvasni a könyvet.
    Fogom olvasni a könyvet.

    Since 'a könyvet' (the book) is a definite object, you must use the definite conjugation of 'fog'.

How It Connects

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fog + InfinitiveLevel 2Future with Fog

Learn This First

To form the future tense in Hungarian, you need to know how to conjugate the auxiliary verb 'fog' in the present tense (both definite and indefinite forms) and how to form the infinitive of the main verb using the '-ni' suffix.

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fog