Spanish Future Tense

The future tense is formed in two ways: the informal future, which consists of adding “ir + a + infinitive, and the simple future which is formed by a single word. Future plans, arrangements, and intentions are usually expressed either by the present simple or by the present simple of the verb “ir” “a” followed by the infinitive:

Mañana tengo una reunión                 I am having a meeting tomorrow.

Ella no viene hoy.                                 She is not coming today.

Voy a comprar una revista.                  I’m going to buy a magazine.

In talking about the future in general, including arrangements and intentions, the speaker can use the future tense.

Llegarán a las seis.                                 They will arrive at six.

Mañana les llamaremos                           We will call them tomorrow.

The Spanish simple future is used to express what shall or will happen, and it is also used to express what someone might or may be doing in the present.

Jugarás para el equipo nacional.

You will play for the national team.

Él hablará con su jefe esta noche.

He will talk with his boss tonight.

To form the simple future, simply add the correct ending to the infinitive of a verb. All verbs ending in (ar-er-ir) have the same endings in the simple future tense.

Yo te conoceré en el parque mañana.                 I will meet you at the park tomorrow.

Ella escribirá la carta a Pedro.                             She will write Pedro the letter.

General predictions are usually expressed in the future tense:

Lloverá en el norte.                                               It will rain in the north

Mis niños tendrán los ojos marrones.                   My children will have brown eyes.

Predictions with a high degree of certainty can be expressed by the present simple or by “ir- a.”

Mañana llueve aquí.                                               It is going to rain here tomorrow.

Mañana va a llover aquí                                         It’s going to rain here tomorrow.

The present simple can only refer to the future if there is a future element in the sentence, whether stated or simply understood.

Mañana juego al fútbol.                                         I’m playing football tomorrow.

Juego al fútbol.                                                       I play football.

Promises and future deductions are also expressed by the future tense:

A las ocho estarán cenando.                                   They will be having dinner at eight.

Te prometo que lo haré.                                           I promise you (that) I will do it.

Present deductions are also expressed by the future tense. Strong determination is expressed by the future tense, although in negative sentences the verb “querer” can also be used:

Lo haré.                                                                   I will do it.

No quiero ir a esa reunión.                                       I do not want to go to that reunion.

Will be + ing, has a literal translation only to refer to actions that will presumably be taking place at a certain time in the future:

Para esta hora mañana estaremos visitando Paris. At this time tomorrow, we’ll be visiting Paris.

The Spanish future perfect is very similar to its English counterpart, except in those cases in which “for” and “how long” are used:

No habrán muerto en vano.                                     They won’t have died in vain.

Lo habrán terminado para entonces.                       They will have finished it by then.