Definition
Relative future tense is a relative tense that refers to a time located after a contextually determined temporal reference point, regardless of the latter’s relation to the moment of utterance.
Examples
- Passengers about to depart on Flight 26 proceeded to Gate 5.
- Passengers about to depart on Flight 26 should proceed to Gate 5.
- Passengers about to depart on Flight 26 will proceed to Gate 5.
|
The time of departure is, in each case, in the future relative to a temporal reference point. In these cases, the temporal point is likely that of the action expressed by the main verb phrase. |
Sources 1
- Comrie 1985b, 59–60