When the topic time (reference time) of the verb of the sentence does not precede the time of speech, it may either coincide with it (present tense) or follow it (future tense). The languages of the world form two large groups with respect to whether or not they have such a grammatical distinction. Where such a distinction does exist, the future tense is generally the marked form.

Within the future tense, some languages may offer grammatical distinctions that indicate when events occur in relation to one another. Distinctions may include the foreseeable future, the distant future, and the mystic future (transcendence).

This parameter only considers forms of the future tense that can stand alone in an independent clause. Optional or restricted uses of the future tense should also be considered, with any special features noted in the commentary.

Types:

NoFut: There is no grammatical distinction between future and non-future tense(s).

1Fut: A distinct grammatical tense is used to express future tense.

2Fut: Two grammatical tenses are used to express future tenses.

XDistFut: X number of grammatical tenses are used to express future tenses.