There are different TREE ways to express the FUTURE in Spanish, and depending on which one we use we will transmit a different level of certitude. Look at the example and let’s see how they work.
1. The present tense to express the FUTURE
In Spanish, just as in English, you can often use the present tense (learn more about the present tense) to refer to something that is going to happen in the future, it is mainly for a timetable or things that have been scheduled.
Tomamos el tren de las doce (We’re getting the twelve o’clock train).
Mañana voy a la playa (Tomorrow I go to the beach).
2. IR A + Infinitive
In English, you often use «going to» with an infinitive to talk about the immediate future or our future plans. In Spanish, you can use the present tense of ir + a + an infinitive to express the future (learn more about the periphrasis ir a +infinitive).
Vamos a perder el tren ¡Date prisa! (We are going to miss the train, hurry up!).
Voy a viajar mañana (I am going to travel tomorrow).
3. Simple future tense: el futuro imperfecto
We can also use the proper future tense called FUTURO SIMPLE or IMPERFECTO (click here to learn the conjugation of future tense in Spanish) to refer to something that will happen or will be true in the future.
Supongo que mi hermano estará aquí pronto (I suppose that my brother will be here soon).
Te llamaré mañana, si tengo tiempo (I will give you a call if I have time).
No sé cuándo terminaré los ejercicios (I don’t know when I will finish the exercises).
Learn more about how to express the future in Spanish
In the video below, you will learn more about the three ways to express the future in Spanish.
Practice the different ways to express the Spanish future
Now you can practice everything that you have learned about the different ways of talking about the future in Spanish with the quiz below and don’t forget you can contact your tutor if you have any questions. Don’t you have a Spanish personal tutor yet?