Other uses for the future tense
Is it correct for the future tense to also be used to express something probable or supposed. Not only using it to state if something will or will not happen later. I'd found this example:
Pablo no esta aqui. Estará en casa.
Now I guess word for word it means: Pablo is not here. He will be at home. But to suggest an probability; Pablo is not here, he's probably at home. Would the use of the future tense here be incorrect and/or what would be the proper usage. Thank you.
4 Answers
Another common way for this tense to be translated is with the word "wonder," especially in interrogative constructions.
¿Dónde estarán?
I wonder where they are.
¿Cuánto me costará?
I wonder how much it will cost me.
The main use of the future tense is to make suppositions (about present of future things).
Me graduaré el año próximo - that's the plan
Se graduará un año de estos - more or less, I guess
Tendrá 20 años - that's my guess
If the future event is taken for granted, then it is not a supposition, and you have to use the present tense:
Me gradúo el año próximo - completely sure
Tiene 20 años - I know it
thank you.
Right on!
A loose translation would be:
Pablo is not here. He's probably at home.
