Using a past tense to describe a future action????

Question

"Hemos quedado mañana a la 13.00 en el Balcón"

This morning in class I just could not understand the above phrase. I questioned why use a past tense for a future action - but just could not understand the explanation.

The phrase was explained as being a group of people who met for a reunion, one person was missing and during the conversation someone suggested phoning that person and used the above phrase to say that the group would be meeting again tomorrow - or next week or when-ever.

I have copied the example from the board, not dictation, so I know I am not wrong.

I'm hoping a native speaker or Grammar expert is around at the moment.

Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

We have agreed to meet tomorrow. . .

The tenses are the same in English and the past tense refers to having agreed, not to the future time of the meeting.

• Nice and quick and totally understandable, thanks so much. I wish my instruction was in English - it would save so many headaches. - caza Nov 22, 2011

Answer 2

Lorenzo is right. Look at definition 7 of quedar

7. (citarse)

quedar (con alguien) -> to arrange to meet (somebody)

hemos quedado el lunes -> we've arranged to meet on Monday

he quedado con Juan esta noche -> I've arranged to meet Juan this evening

• Thanks. So simple when you know - caza Nov 22, 2011

Answer 3

AS explained by others it is not a past tense - it is the present perfect.

The present perfect is a tense that links the "past" to the present time.

It is constructed by using the "have" verb, "haber" in Spanish, with the past participle of the verb.

Examples

I have eaten - he comido

You have loved - She has kissed. etc,

Ha(s) amado - (ella) ha besado

• Preterito perfecto and one of the first tenses taught as a past tense actually - your examples are surely past actions? - caza Nov 22, 2011

Answer 4

Using the past tense for a future action can also happen in English.

Example: The modal verb Would is in the past tense.

"Would you be so kind as to drive me to the airport next Thursday? "

• This is not correct - Would is a Modal - and Modals do not have tenses.because they are not verbs. t - ian-hill Nov 22, 2011
• Modals do not exist in Spanish. They are called Modal auxiliary verbs - but this is very mis-leading - ian-hill Nov 22, 2011