Talking About a Later Event

Level 2

A later-time phrase can locate a planned action without will: Tomorrow we meet downstairs. This does not make will or going to wrong; those forms can add prediction, intention or other meaning.

How It Works

A later-time phrase can place a planned action in the future without will. Tomorrow we meet downstairs can describe an arrangement. The verb's bare shape does not by itself say whether an action is past, present or future.

Read the time phrase and the speaker's purpose. We will meet downstairs is also available and may sound like a prediction, decision or assurance in context. Going to can express an intention. Singlish does not require every future reference to use one form, and a future plan is not necessarily a guarantee that nothing will change.

Examples (4)

  1. Tomorrow we meet downstairs.

    We will meet downstairs tomorrow, as arranged.

  2. Later I call you.

    I will call you later.

  3. Next week she start her new job.

    She starts her new job next week.

  4. I'll send the address tonight.

    I will send the address tonight; the full future form is also usable.

How It Connects

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

Talking About a Later EventLevel 2

Learn This First

Separate verb shape from event time before using a later-time phrase for a plan.