Help me with the use of the future tense. For example,

Question

When translating, "I will go to the store tomorrow."

why is it, "Voy a ir a la tienda manana." rather than "Iré a la tienda mañana." ?

Answer 1

Hi Gsd and Welcome to the SpanishDict forum

While both forms/constructions can loosley be translated to mean: ''I will go to the store (shop) tomorrow'' the most common way is to say: ''Voy a ir a la tienda mañana''

This construction uses the present tense in an idiomatic way to imply a future meaning and is often referred to as the immediate future This construction is used to express something that is going to happen very soon ie: in the immediate future.

The future tense is used less often in Spanish than in English and for situations where the Spanish want to indicate that an action will take place at some time in the future:

eg: Iré a España el año que viene

= I will go to Spain next year

I hope this helps

Corregid mi español, por favor

Tu español es perfecto, amigo. - carlomp, Apr 29, 2011

Muchas gracias, amigo:) A veces cometo errores:) - FELIZ77, Apr 29, 2011

Answer 2

Hi, gsd, Both are correct.

Voy a ir can be translated more loosely as "I am going to go" and Iré is more along the lines of "I will go"

:) - FELIZ77, Apr 29, 2011

Gracias, Feliz (the computer won't let me capitalize your name) . . . . - NancyGrace, Apr 29, 2011

Okay Nancy ,, thanks:) Don't worry about capitalisation of my whole name just first letter will do :) - FELIZ77, Apr 29, 2011

Answer 3

Other nuances to keep in mind is that the future tense in Spanish is often used to show conjecture or probability.

The Ir+a+verb infinitive is usually used for near future, not what you will do 30 years from now.

Answer 4

The future tense is also used to indicate conjecture or probability in the present time. In English, expressions such as “probably”, “must”, “I/you think” are usually used rather than the future tense.

¿Dónde estará María? ---> Where do you think Mary is (right now)?

Estará en casa. ---> She is probably at home.

¿Qué hora es? ---> What time is it?

Serán las ocho. ---> It must be 8:00. (Or: It is probably 8:00, I think it's 8:00, etc.)