Distinctions within the future tense
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.
Languages may have further distinctions in encoding future events based on semantic or grammatical criteria. Such a distinction can be the contrast between events happening in the direct future, expected to take place within the same day on the one hand, versus events in the foreseeable future, or even long-term future events on the other. The latter can also include the mystic, transcendental future for events that have only been predicted to take place. Other future tenses can be distinguished based on further contrasts such as imperfective vs. perfective aspect, the certainty and the uncertainty of the event, definiteness vs. indefiniteness, etc.
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.
XFut: X number of grammatical tenses are used to express future tenses.