Grammar: Verbs - Future Tenses

Grammar: Verbs - Future Tenses

Overview of Future Tenses in Spanish

• There are two primary ways to express the future tense in Spanish: using the future tense of verbs (irregular and regular forms), and using ir a + infinitive.

Regular Future Tense

• Formed by adding endings to the infinitive form of the verb.
• The endings are the same for all three types of verbs (ar, er, ir): -é, -ás, -á, -emos, -éis, -án
• Examples: hablaré (I will speak), comerás (you will eat), vivirá (he/she/it will live)

Irregular Future Tense

• Several verbs have irregular future tense forms. The key verbs to remember are: haber, poder, saber, poner, salir, tener, valer, venir, decir, hacer.
• These verbs keep the regular future tense endings, but have a different stem. For example, tener -> tendr-, poder -> podr-

Using Ir a + Infinitive

• Another way to express future actions, similar to using ‘going to’ in English.
• Constructed by using present tense of ‘ir’ + ‘a’ + infinitive form of the verb.
• Examples: Voy a leer (I am going to read), Vamos a estudiar (We are going to study)

Points to Be Aware of

• Choosing between future tense and ir a + infinitive: while both can express future actions, future tense is used to express events that will occur in the distant future, or to express probability or doubt. Ir a + infinitive is used for the near future or when the action is absolutely certain.

Important Practise Tips

• To master these future tense forms and choosing the appropriate form, develop a revision routine which includes drilling conjugation tables, writing sentences in context, and doing online exercises.

Points to Remember

• Memorize irregular future tense stems and practise using both regular and irregular verbs in sentences.
• Always read back over your work to identify and correct any errors. It is only through frequent practice that grammar becomes automatic and fluent.