Talking About the Future: Ir a + Infinitive and the Simple Future Tense
Talking about the future in Spanish covers two ways: the near future with ir a + infinitive, used for concrete plans and intentions, and the simple future tense, formed by adding endings directly to the infinitive (regular) or to one of twelve irregular stems such as tendr-, podr-, dir- and har- (irregular). The examiner is testing correct formation of both structures, the written accents on every simple-future ending except nosotros, and the ability to choose the structure that fits the context: an imminent, already-decided plan against a prediction, promise or more formal statement.
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Method
- Form the near future with the present tense of ir + a + infinitive: voy a estudiar, vas a viajar, va a llover - use this for a concrete plan or intention, especially in spoken or informal contexts.
- Form the simple future by adding endings directly to the full infinitive: hablaré, hablarás, hablará, hablaremos, hablaréis, hablarán - the endings are identical for -ar, -er and -ir verbs.
- Learn the twelve verbs with an irregular future stem, formed by changing letters from the infinitive but keeping the same regular endings: tener -> tendr-, poner -> pondr-, salir -> saldr-, venir -> vendr-, poder -> podr-, saber -> sabr-, haber -> habr-, querer -> querr-, decir -> dir-, hacer -> har-, valer -> valdr-, caber -> cabr-.
- Use the simple future for predictions and general statements about the future (mañana lloverá, en el futuro trabajaré desde casa), for promises (te ayudaré), and for offers.
- Use the simple future, not the near future, to speculate about the present (probability): ¿Qué hora será? (I wonder what time it is); Tendrá unos quince años (He is probably about fifteen).
- Distinguish the two structures in context: ir a + infinitive suits an already-decided, imminent plan (voy a estudiar esta noche), while the simple future suits a more distant, less certain or more formal statement (estudiaré medicina en el futuro).
- Watch the accent on every simple-future ending except the nosotros form: hablaré, hablarás, hablará, hablaremos (no accent), hablaréis, hablarán.
Worked example
Rewrite each sentence using the tense indicated. 1) (ir a + infinitive) Estudio para el examen mañana. 2) (simple future) Creo que va a llover este fin de semana. 3) (simple future, irregular) Mis padres van a hacer una barbacoa el sábado.
- Sentence 1 asks for the near future: take the present tense of ir (voy, since the subject is yo) + a + the infinitive estudiar, giving voy a estudiar para el examen mañana.
- Sentence 2 asks for the simple future of llover (a regular -er verb in the future): add -á to the infinitive, giving lloverá.
- Full sentence 2: Creo que lloverá este fin de semana.
- Sentence 3 needs the simple future of hacer, which has the irregular stem har-; the subject is mis padres (ellos), so the ending is -án: harán.
- Full sentence 3: Mis padres harán una barbacoa el sábado.
Practice questions
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Q1Give the yo form of tener in the simple future.Show answer
Answer: Tendré.
Q2Translate using ir a + infinitive: 'We are going to visit my grandmother tomorrow.'Show answer
Answer: Vamos a visitar a mi abuela mañana.
Q3Give the irregular future stem of poner.Show answer
Answer: Pondr-.
Q4Which form does not carry a written accent in the simple future?Show answer
Answer: The nosotros/nosotras form (hablaremos, comeremos, viviremos).
Q5Translate: 'I will call you later', using the simple future.Show answer
Answer: Te llamaré más tarde.
Q6Complete: Ellos ___ (poder) venir a la fiesta el viernes.Show answer
Answer: Podrán.
Q7When would you prefer the simple future over ir a + infinitive?Show answer
Answer: For a prediction, promise, formal statement, or a more distant/uncertain plan, rather than an already-decided, imminent one.
Q8Give the él form of decir in the simple future, meaning 'he will say'.Show answer
Answer: Dirá.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a GCSE Spanish exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Translate into Spanish: 1) I am going to study Spanish at university next year. 2) In the future, more people will work from home. 3) My parents will help me if I have problems. 4) I think it will be difficult, but I will try hard.
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Lee el texto y contesta en inglés. Texto: El año que viene voy a hacer un intercambio escolar en Argentina. Viviré con una familia argentina durante tres meses y asistiré a un instituto local. Mis padres dicen que será una experiencia inolvidable, aunque saben que voy a echar de menos mi casa al principio. Cuando vuelva, tendré mucho más confianza hablando español y espero hacer amigos para toda la vida. (a) What is the writer planning to do next year? (b) How long will they live with the Argentinian family, and what will they attend? (c) According to their parents, what kind of experience will it be? (d) What do the parents know the writer will feel at first? (e) What two things does the writer hope or expect will happen because of the exchange?
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