Verbs: Future Tense

01

Irregular Verbs in the Future Tense

Some common verbs are irregular in the future tense. They use a different stem instead of the infinitive, but they still take the same future endings listed above.

Verbs that replace the infinitive vowel with -d-

• poner (to put) → pondr-
• salir (to leave) → saldr-
• tener (to have) → tendr-
• venir (to come) → vendr-
• valer (to be worth) → valdr-

• Tendré que trabajar el sábado.

  I will have to work on Saturday.

• Ellos saldrán de la ciudad el fin de semana.

  They will leave the city on the weekend.

Verbs that drop the vowel from the infinitive

• poder (to be able to) → podr-
• querer (to want) → querr-
• saber (to know) → sabr-
• haber (to have, auxiliary) → habr-

• No podremos llegar a tiempo.

  We won't be able to arrive on time.

• ¿Querrás acompañarme al cine?

  Will you want to come with me to the movies?

Verbs with unique stems

• decir (to say/tell) → dir-
• hacer (to do/make) → har-

• Te diré un secreto.

  I will tell you a secret.

• ¿Qué harán ustedes en las vacaciones?

  What will you all do on vacation?

02

Other Uses of the Future Tense

Besides talking about future events, the future tense is also commonly used to express probability, conjecture, or wonder about the present.

To express probability or make a guess

This usage is equivalent to saying "probably," "must be," or "I bet" in English.

• ¿Quién llama a la puerta?

  It must be the mailman.

• Mi amigo no contesta. Estará ocupado.

  My friend isn't answering. He's probably busy.

To express wonder or ask a rhetorical question about the present

• ¿Dónde estarán mis llaves?

  I wonder where my keys are.

• ¿Qué hora será?

  I wonder what time it is.

03

Alternative: 'Ir a' + Infinitive

In everyday conversation, especially in Mexico, it is very common to express the future using the structure ir a + infinitive. This is often called the "near future" and is used for plans and intentions. The simple future tense can sound more formal or be used for more distant or less certain predictions.

• Voy a comprar tortillas para la cena.

  I'm going to buy tortillas for dinner. (A definite plan)

• Comprare tortillas para la cena.

  I will buy tortillas for dinner. (Also correct, but slightly more formal)

• El próximo mes vamos a visitar a nuestros abuelos.

  Next month we are going to visit our grandparents.

• Algún día visitaremos Japón.

  Someday we will visit Japan. (A more distant or hypothetical future)