The Future Tense (AQA A-Level Spanish): Revision Notes
The Future Tense
Overview
The future tense allows you to talk about actions that will take place later. In Spanish, just like in English, there are two main ways to express the future: the 'going to' future (similar to "I am going to buy") and the 'will' future (similar to "I will buy"). Both forms are widely used in everyday Spanish, and understanding when and how to use each one will help you speak more naturally about your plans and predictions.
The 'going to' future (ir a + infinitive)
Formation and usage
This structure is commonly used for near future plans and intentions. To create this tense, you need three components: the present tense of the verb ir (to go), the preposition a, and the infinitive form of the main verb.
Structure: Present tense of ir + a + infinitive
This construction is straightforward because you keep the main verb in its infinitive form (ending in -ar, -er, or -ir) without changing it. The only verb that conjugates is ir, which changes according to the subject.
Conjugation of ir (to go)
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| voy | I go |
| vas | you go (informal singular) |
| va | he/she goes, you go (formal singular) |
| vamos | we go |
| vais | you go (informal plural) |
| van | they go, you go (formal plural) |
Example sentences
Here are examples showing how this structure works in context:
Worked Example: Forming 'going to' future sentences
Voy a escribir una postal. = I am going to write a postcard.
In this sentence, voy (I go) combines with a and the infinitive escribir to express a future action.
Vamos a alquilar un coche. = We are going to rent a car.
The verb ir is conjugated as vamos (we go), followed by a and the infinitive alquilar.
Van a hacer senderismo. = They are going to go hiking.
Here, van (they go) is used with a hacer to indicate a future plan.
Using reflexive verbs with 'going to' future
Reflexive verbs require special attention because you need to include a reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nos, os, se). With the 'going to' future, you have two options for where to place this pronoun, and both are equally correct.
Two Options for Reflexive Pronoun Placement
You can place the reflexive pronoun in two different positions when using the 'going to' future. Both options are grammatically correct and convey exactly the same meaning, so choose whichever sounds more natural to you.
Option 1: Attach the pronoun to the end of the infinitive
When you attach the reflexive pronoun to the infinitive, it must agree with the subject of the sentence:
- Voy a levantarme temprano. = I am going to get up early.
- Va a ducharse. = He is going to take a shower.
- Vamos a acostarnos. = We are going to go to bed.
Option 2: Place the pronoun before the verb ir
Alternatively, you can position the reflexive pronoun directly before the conjugated form of ir:
- Me voy a levantar temprano. = I am going to get up early.
- Se va a duchar. = He is going to take a shower.
- Nos vamos a acostar. = We are going to go to bed.
The 'will' future (simple future tense)
Formation and usage
The simple future tense, often called the 'will' future, is used to make predictions, promises, and express actions that will happen. This tense has a unique formation pattern: you add specific endings directly to the infinitive of the verb without removing the -ar, -er, or -ir ending first.
Structure: Infinitive + future endings
The future tense endings are the same for all three verb types (-ar, -er, -ir verbs), which makes this tense relatively straightforward once you learn the endings.
Future tense endings
The endings are: -é, -ás, -á, -emos, -éis, -án
Critical Point: Accents in Future Tense
Notice that all endings carry an accent except -emos. These accents are essential for correct pronunciation and spelling. Without them, you could confuse tenses or change pronunciation entirely.
Conjugation tables
-AR verbs: Hablar (to speak)
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| hablaré | I will speak |
| hablarás | you will speak |
| hablará | he/she/you will speak |
| hablaremos | we will speak |
| hablaréis | you will speak (plural) |
| hablarán | they/you will speak |
-ER verbs: Comer (to eat)
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| comeré | I will eat |
| comerás | you will eat |
| comerá | he/she/you will eat |
| comeremos | we will eat |
| comeréis | you will eat (plural) |
| comerán | they/you will eat |
-IR verbs: Vivir (to live)
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| viviré | I will live |
| vivirás | you will live |
| vivirá | he/she/you will live |
| viviremos | we will live |
| viviréis | you will live (plural) |
| vivirán | they/you will live |
Example sentences
Worked Example: Forming 'will' future sentences
Escribiré una carta. = I will write a letter.
The infinitive escribir takes the ending -é to create escribiré, expressing a future action with the pronoun "I".
Estudiaremos biología. = We will study Biology.
Here, estudiar + -emos becomes estudiaremos, showing what "we" will do in the future.
Aprenderán árabe. = They will learn Arabic.
The infinitive aprender combines with -án to form aprenderán, indicating what "they" will do.
Using reflexive verbs with 'will' future
When using reflexive verbs with the simple future tense, the reflexive pronoun must be placed before the conjugated verb. Unlike the 'going to' future, you cannot attach it to the end.
Important Difference from 'going to' future
With the simple future tense, you have only one option for reflexive pronoun placement: the pronoun must come before the conjugated verb. You cannot attach it to the end like you can with infinitives in the 'going to' future.
Me levantaré. = I will get up.
The reflexive pronoun me comes before levantaré (the future form of levantar with the -é ending).
Se acostará. = He will go to bed.
The pronoun se is positioned before acostará (the future form of acostar with the -á ending).
Common mistakes and tips
Common Mistake 1: Removing the infinitive ending before adding future endings
Many students incorrectly remove the -ar, -er, or -ir before adding the future endings. Remember, you keep the full infinitive: hablar + é = hablaré, not habl + é.
Common Mistake 2: Forgetting accents on future tense endings
The accents on future tense endings are not optional. Without them, you could confuse tenses or change pronunciation entirely. Make sure to write: hablaré, comerás, vivirá, etc.
Common Mistake 3: Confusing reflexive pronoun placement
With 'going to' future, you have two options for pronoun placement. With 'will' future, the pronoun must go before the verb. Don't write levantaréme – write me levantaré.
Common Mistake 4: Using the wrong form of ir
Remember to conjugate ir according to the subject: yo voy, tú vas, él/ella va, nosotros vamos, vosotros vais, ellos van. Don't use the same form for all subjects.
Tip 1: Choose the right future for the context
Both future forms are correct, but the 'going to' future often sounds more conversational and is preferred for immediate plans, while the 'will' future can sound more formal or be used for predictions.
Tip 2: Practise with reflexive verbs
Reflexive verbs can be tricky in the future tense. Write out sentences using both methods for 'going to' future and practise placing pronouns correctly with 'will' future.
Tip 3: Learn the pattern, not just individual verbs
Once you understand the pattern (infinitive + endings for 'will' future, or ir + a + infinitive for 'going to' future), you can apply it to any regular verb you know.
Key Points to Remember:
- There are two ways to express the future in Spanish: the 'going to' future (ir a + infinitive) and the 'will' future (infinitive + endings).
- The 'going to' future uses the present tense of ir (voy, vas, va, vamos, vais, van) followed by a and an infinitive verb.
- The 'will' future adds endings directly to the infinitive without removing -ar, -er, or -ir: -é, -ás, -á, -emos, -éis, -án.
- With reflexive verbs, you have two options for 'going to' future (before ir or attached to infinitive), but only one option for 'will' future (before the conjugated verb).
- All future tense endings have an accent except -emos – don't forget to include them in your writing.