Dates in the future - present or future tense?

Question

Here is a simple question that I keep forgetting to ask and couldn't find an answer in the forum:

In English, past dates are always in the past: "Yesterday was Tuesday."

Tomorrow is usually the present tense, "Tomorrow is Friday," but other dates in the future could be thought of in two ways: "Monday is the first day of Spring," (present tense) or, "Monday will be the first day of Spring." (future tense) Either would be correct, although the present tense seems to have the most common usage.

Is the same true for Spanish?

One of the joys of learning another language is finding the inconsistencies in your own that you never noticed before. Yesterday was, but tomorrow is.

• Good question, dogbert. Although I do not know the answer, I will be watching and waiting for it as you probably will too. ~~Beautifleeblest~~ - DaddysBabyGi Oct 25, 2010

Answer 1

Hi, Dog!

Yes, in Spanish is the same:

Ayer fue domingo.

Hoy es lunes

Mañana es martes y pasado es miércoles. (also será)

La semana que viene hay un día festivo (also habrá)

Dentro de dos meses es Navidad (o será)

El próximo año es bisiesto. ( o será)

Marzo es el primer mes de la primavera.

• gracias - dogbert Oct 25, 2010

Answer 2

Dear Dogbert,

to express that a certain day took place in the past, use the preterit of 'ser'. So, 'ayer fue lunes' could be a correct sentence (not today, but anyway). Though not frequently used you could apply the future indicative of 'ser' for days to come. In this case the present indicative would be given preference. Hopefully this helps you. Kind regards,

Charlie Bo

Answer 3

One of the joys of learning another language is finding the inconsistencies in your own that you never noticed before. Yesterday was, but tomorrow is.

What is weird about that dog?

• If today is Monday, yesterday IS Sunday, in the same way that tomorrow IS Tuesday, but no one ever refers to the past in the present tense. - dogbert Oct 25, 2010

Answer 4

In English, past dates are always in the past: "Yesterday was Tuesday."

I think you forgot that languages make use of metaphors, not grammar:

In 390 BC, the Gauls invade Rome.

• Thanks for adding another layer of weirdness to the discussion! - dogbert Oct 25, 2010
• My pleasure, hehe. - lazarus1907 Oct 25, 2010