How to Express Intention
This page does not cover verb conjugation, but there are some other ways that we talk about the future (and sometimes past) that do not involve conjugation. One way is by expressing our intentions to do something. In colloquial Ukrainian speech, the intention to do something is expressed by the imperfective aspect of the verb ду́мати (to think) + an infinitive.The construction ду́мати + inf. corresponds to the English "to be going to (to be planning to)" + inf.Олена думає подивитися цей фільм завтра. Olena is planning to watch this film tomorrow.
The choice of the aspect of the infinitive depends on how the intended action is described. If it is an open-ended process, without regard to its completion, then the imperfective infinitive is used:
Що ви думаєте робити у вихідні? What are you thinking of doing this weekend?
The imperfective infinitive may also mean that the speaker is hesitant about their intention.
Михайло думає купувати нове авто. Mykhailo is planning to buy a new car. (He is not 100% sure)
If it is important to present the intended action as completed, then the perfective infinitive is used:
Вони думають повечеряти разом. They are planning to have dinner together.
When a past intention is expressed, the verb ду́мати takes the form of the past imperfective tense:
Минулого місяця ми думали побувати у Парижі. Last month we were going to visit Paris.
Possibility in the Future
The expression (бу́ти) мо́жна, which indicates a possibility of action, becomes бу́де мо́жна to express such a possibility in the future.Тут буде можна поговорити. Here one will be able to have a conversation.
Коли буде можна поїсти? When will one be able to eat?
These two words can trade places without changing the meaning:
Тут можна буде поговорити. Коли можна буде поїсти?
When negated, this expression can have two variants:
1.) usually the negative particle не is put before мо́жна, which is followed by бу́де:
Там не можна буде добре відпочити. One will not be able to have a good rest there.
2.) less commonly the negative particle не is put before бу́де, which is followed by мо́жна:
Завтра не буде можна подзвонити. One will not be able to make a call tomorrow.