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Topic 13

The future(s): ir a + infinitive vs future simple

The rule, in plain English

The 'near future' uses ir a + infinitive (voy a estudiar) — very common in speech. The 'future simple' adds endings to the infinitive (estudiaré, comerás, vivirá) — used for predictions and more formal/distant future. At A2, prefer 'ir a' for plans.

Why it's hard for English speakers

English has 'will' and 'going to' too, but Spanish future-simple endings attach to the whole infinitive, and some verbs are irregular (tendré, haré, saldré).

Future simple endings

Personhablar
yohablaré
túhablarás
él/ellahablará
nosotroshablaremos

Examples

  • Voy a viajar en verano.I'm going to travel in summer. (ir a)
  • Mañana estudiaré.Tomorrow I will study. (future simple)
  • Tendré tiempo el lunes.I'll have time on Monday. (irregular: tendré)
  • ¿Qué vas a hacer?What are you going to do?

Common mistakes

  • Voy estudiar mañanaVoy a estudiar mañana'ir a' needs 'a'.
  • Yo haceréYo haré'hacer' is irregular in the future.

Practice

Exercises: 0 / 0 correct

  1. I'm going to eat = Voy ___ comer.

  2. Tomorrow I will speak = Mañana ___ (hablar, yo).

  3. I will have =

  4. What are you going to do? = ¿Qué ___ a hacer?