Future Tense in Spanish: How to Conjugate and Use It Correctly

Learning to talk about the future is an essential part of mastering any language, and Spanish is no exception. Understanding the three main ways to express the future in Spanish—the Simple Future Tense, the Near Future (Ir + a + Infinitive), and the Future Perfect—will help you express plans, make predictions, and share intentions with confidence.

Whether you’re discussing tomorrow’s weather or your long-term goals, knowing how to correctly use these future forms can greatly improve your communication skills. In this article, we’ll explore the different ways to express the future in Spanish, making it easier for you to navigate conversations about what’s to come.

The Simple Future Tense

The simple future tense in Spanish, known as “el futuro simple” or “el futuro imperfecto,” is a key verb tense used to talk about actions or events that will happen in the future. This tense is straightforward and essential for expressing intentions, making predictions, or discussing future possibilities. Mastering the simple future tense will significantly enhance your ability to communicate in Spanish about what’s to come.

Formation of the Simple Future Tense

Forming the simple future tense in Spanish is relatively simple. Unlike other tenses, which require significant changes to the verb stem, the simple future tense is formed by adding specific endings to the entire infinitive form of the verb. These endings are the same for all three verb types: -ar, -er, and -ir.

Here are the endings you need to know:

• Yo: -é
• Tú: -ás
• Él/Ella/Usted: -á
• Nosotros/Nosotras: -emos
• Vosotros/Vosotras: -éis
• Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes: -án

To conjugate a verb in the simple future tense, you simply add the appropriate ending to the infinitive form of the verb. This process is consistent across regular verbs, making it easy to apply once you’ve memorized the endings.

Conjugation Chart for Regular Verbs

Here’s a chart that shows how to conjugate three regular verbs—Hablar (to speak), Comer (to eat), and Vivir (to live)—in the simple future tense:

Subject Pronoun	Hablar (to speak)	Comer (to eat)	Vivir (to live)
Yo	hablaré	comeré	viviré
Tú	hablarás	comerás	vivirás
Él/Ella/Usted	hablará	comerá	vivirá
Nosotros/Nosotras	hablaremos	comeremos	viviremos
Vosotros/Vosotras	hablaréis	comeréis	viviréis
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	hablarán	comerán	vivirán

Irregular Verbs in the Future Tense

While the simple future tense is straightforward with regular verbs, there are some irregular verbs in Spanish that have slight modifications to the verb stem before adding the future tense endings. These irregular stems are important to memorize because they are used with the same future tense endings as regular verbs. Here are some of the most common irregular verbs:

Subject Pronoun	Tener	Hacer	Decir	Poder	Venir	Saber
Yo	tendré	haré	diré	podré	vendré	sabré
Tú	tendrás	harás	dirás	podrás	vendrás	sabrás
Él/Ella/Usted	tendrá	hará	dirá	podrá	vendrá	sabrá
Nosotros/Nosotras	tendremos	haremos	diremos	podremos	vendremos	sabremos
Vosotros/Vosotras	tendréis	haréis	diréis	podréis	vendréis	sabréis
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	tendrán	harán	dirán	podrán	vendrán	sabrán

Using the Simple Future Tense

The simple future tense in Spanish is a versatile tool for expressing various types of future actions. Here’s a concise look at how it’s commonly used:

1. Expressing Intentions or Plans

One of the primary uses of the simple future tense is to express intentions or plans. This tense is ideal for conveying what you intend to do at a later time, whether it’s a personal decision or a planned event. When you’ve decided on an action and want to communicate it clearly, the simple future tense provides a straightforward way to do so. It indicates that the action is not just a possibility, but something you are committed to doing in the future.

Examples: 

• Mañana estudiaré para el examen. (Tomorrow I will study for the exam.)
• Visitaré a mis abuelos la próxima semana. (I will visit my grandparents next week.)

2. Making Predictions

The simple future tense is also commonly used to make predictions about what might happen in the future. This use is similar to how we use “will” in English to talk about future events that we believe will happen, whether based on evidence, intuition, or common sense. When you want to express a prediction, the simple future tense gives your statement a sense of certainty or expectation, even if you’re not entirely sure of the outcome.

Examples: 

• El año que viene, habrá muchos cambios. (Next year, there will be many changes.)
• Ganarás el partido, estoy seguro. (You will win the match, I’m sure.)

3. Expressing Probability or Uncertainty

In Spanish, the simple future tense can also be used to express uncertainty or make educated guesses about the present or past. This use is unique because it allows the speaker to speculate or hypothesize about situations.

Examples: 

• ¿Dónde estará Juan ahora? (Where could Juan be right now?)
• Serán las tres de la tarde. (It’s probably three in the afternoon.)

4. Making Promises or Commitments

The simple future tense is also used to make promises or commitments, particularly when you want to emphasize that something will definitely happen. This use is common in both formal and informal contexts, where the speaker wants to assure someone that they will follow through with an action. By using the future tense in this way, you convey a sense of obligation or commitment, reinforcing the seriousness of your promise.

Examples: 

• Te llamaré esta noche. (I will call you tonight.)
• Terminaré el proyecto a tiempo. (I will finish the project on time.)

5. Giving Commands or Instructions

In some formal or authoritative contexts, the simple future tense can be used to give commands or instructions. This use is less common in everyday conversation but can be found in official documents, guidelines, or formal speech. When you want to convey an instruction that should be followed, using the future tense adds a level of formality and authority to the statement.

Examples: 

• Entrarás por la puerta principal. (You will enter through the main door.)
• No hablarás durante el examen. (You will not speak during the exam.)

6. Offering Help or Making Suggestions

The simple future tense can also be used to politely offer help or make suggestions. This use is particularly effective in more formal or considerate speech, where you want to express a willingness to assist someone in the future. It conveys that you are ready and willing to help, while also being polite and considerate in your offer.

Examples: 

• Te ayudaré con tus tareas más tarde. (I will help you with your homework later.)
• Me llamarás si necesitas algo. (You will call me if you need anything.)

The Near Future (Ir + a + Infinitive)

The near future tense in Spanish, known as “el futuro próximo,” is another common way to talk about actions or events that will happen in the future. This construction is very similar to the English phrase “going to,” as in “I am going to do something.”

It’s a straightforward and widely used tense, especially in spoken Spanish, because it’s easy to form and often feels more natural in casual conversation when discussing plans or imminent actions.

Formation and Use of the Near Future

The near future tense is formed using the verb ir (to go) conjugated in the present tense, followed by the preposition a, and then the infinitive form of the main verb. The structure is as follows:

Ir + a + Infinitive

This construction is consistent across all subjects, and the verb ir changes based on the subject pronoun. The main verb remains in its infinitive form. Here’s how ir + a + infinitive is conjugated for each subject pronoun:

Subject Pronoun	Ir (to go) Conjugation	Example with “Hablar”
Yo	voy	voy a hablar
Tú	vas	vas a hablar
Él/Ella/Usted	va	va a hablar
Nosotros/Nosotras	vamos	vamos a hablar
Vosotros/Vosotras	vais	vais a hablar
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	van	van a hablar

Examples of the Near Future in Use

The near future tense is particularly useful for expressing plans, intentions, or actions that are expected to happen soon. Here are some examples:

• Voy a estudiar para el examen mañana. (I am going to study for the exam tomorrow.)
• Ellos van a viajar a México el próximo mes. (They are going to travel to Mexico next month.)
• ¿Vas a venir a la fiesta esta noche? (Are you going to come to the party tonight?)
• Vamos a comprar una casa nueva el año que viene. (We are going to buy a new house next year.)
• Ella va a llamar a sus padres después de la reunión. (She is going to call her parents after the meeting.)

The Future Perfect Tense

The future perfect tense in Spanish, known as “el futuro perfecto,” is used to talk about actions that will have been completed at a certain point in the future. It’s an essential tense for expressing future events that are expected to be finished before another future event or time. Understanding the future perfect tense allows you to convey a sense of completion and anticipation regarding future actions.

Formation of the Future Perfect

The future perfect tense is formed by combining the simple future tense of the auxiliary verb haber (to have) with the past participle of the main verb. This structure is similar to the future perfect in English (“will have done”). Here’s how you form it:

Haber (in future tense) + Past Participle of the Main Verb

Conjugation of Haber in the Future Tense:

• Yo: habré
• Tú: habrás
• Él/Ella/Usted: habrá
• Nosotros/Nosotras: habremos
• Vosotros/Vosotras: habréis
• Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes: habrán

Forming the Past Participle:

• For -ar verbs: Add -ado (e.g., hablar → hablado).
• For -er and -ir verbs: Add -ido (e.g., comer → comido, vivir → vivido).

Examples:

• Hablar: Yo habré hablado (I will have spoken)
• Comer: Tú habrás comido (You will have eaten)
• Vivir: Ellos habrán vivido (They will have lived)

Uses of the Future Perfect

The future perfect is primarily used in two main contexts: to describe actions that will be completed before a specific time in the future and to speculate about past events from a future perspective.

1. To Indicate a Completed Action Before a Future Time

The future perfect tense is used to express that a certain action will have been completed by a specific point in the future. This is particularly useful when you want to discuss plans or deadlines, emphasizing that something will be finished before a particular future moment.

Examples:

• Para el año 2030, habré terminado mis estudios. (By the year 2030, I will have finished my studies.)
• Habrán construido la nueva carretera para el próximo verano. (They will have built the new road by next summer.)

2. To Speculate About the Past From a Future Perspective

The future perfect can also be used to speculate or make assumptions about something that may have happened in the past, but from the viewpoint of a future time. This use is similar to saying “must have” in English when guessing about a past event.

Examples:

• ¿Habrán llegado ya? (I wonder if they have arrived already.)
• Para cuando regreses, habrán terminado la reunión. (By the time you return, they will have finished the meeting.)

Differences Between the Near Future and the Simple Future

While both the near future and the simple future tenses are used to talk about future actions, they serve slightly different purposes and convey different nuances.

1. Immediacy vs. Generality

The near future tense (ir + a + infinitive) often implies that the action will happen soon or is planned with some certainty. It’s used when the speaker has a clear intention or when something is expected to happen in the near future.

Example: Voy a salir en cinco minutos (I am going to leave in five minutes). This sentence indicates that the action is about to take place very soon.

The simple future tense is broader and more general. It can be used to talk about any future event, whether it is happening soon or in the distant future. It doesn’t carry the same sense of immediacy as the near future and can be used for actions that are not necessarily imminent.

Example: Viajaré a España el próximo año (I will travel to Spain next year). This sentence discusses a plan that is farther off, without the immediacy implied by the near future tense.

2. Formality

The near future is more commonly used in spoken Spanish and in casual or informal settings. It feels more conversational and natural, especially when discussing everyday plans or actions that are expected to happen soon. It’s the go-to form when you’re chatting with friends, family, or colleagues in a relaxed environment.

Example: Voy a comprar pan. ¿Quieres algo? (I’m going to buy bread. Do you want anything?). This example shows how the near future is used in a casual, everyday context.

The simple future, while also used in conversation, is often found in more formal speech and writing. It’s common in news reports, academic papers, formal statements, and other contexts where a more polished, distant, or official tone is required. This formality makes it suitable for discussions about future events in a professional setting or when making formal commitments.

Example: El presidente anunciará nuevas medidas económicas (The president will announce new economic measures). The use of the simple future in this example adds a formal tone, appropriate for a news report or official statement.

3. Certainty

The near future conveys a sense of certainty or intention. When you use this tense, it generally indicates that the action is planned and likely to happen. It reflects decisions that have been made and are expected to be carried out, giving the listener confidence that the action will indeed take place.

Example: Voy a estudiar esta noche (I’m going to study tonight). This sentence suggests a firm intention to study, implying that the action is almost certain to happen.

The simple future can sometimes express a more speculative or uncertain future. While it can be used to discuss firm plans, it’s also often employed in situations where the outcome is less certain or where you’re making a prediction without full confidence. It’s useful when talking about possibilities or when the speaker isn’t entirely sure about what will happen.

Example: Estudiaré más tarde, si tengo tiempo (I will study later, if I have time). This example shows how the simple future can express a plan that is not fully set or might change.

Using the Near Future in Everyday Conversation

In everyday Spanish, the near future is extremely common and is often the preferred way to talk about future actions, especially in casual or spoken language. It’s a construction that feels natural and is easily understood by native speakers, making it a practical choice for learners to master early on.

Whether you’re discussing weekend plans, making an appointment, or predicting the outcome of a situation, the near future is a go-to tense that will serve you well in a variety of contexts. By becoming comfortable with the ir + a + infinitive construction, you’ll be able to express future intentions clearly and confidently in Spanish.

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding of the future tenses in Spanish, it’s essential to practice applying them in various contexts. Below are three types of practice exercises designed to help you master the use of the simple future tense, the near future, and the future perfect tense.

The Simple Future Tense

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in the simple future tense:

1. ¿Cuándo ______________ (llegar/tú) a mi casa? (When will you reach my home?)
2. Mañana, ellos ______________ (comer) en el nuevo restaurante. (Tomorrow, they will eat at the new restaurant.)
3. Nosotros ______________ (viajar) a México el próximo verano. (We will travel to Mexico next summer.)
4. Yo ______________ (escribir) una carta a mi abuela. (I will write a letter to my grandmother.)
5. ¿Qué ______________ (hacer/ustedes) este fin de semana? (What will you all do this weekend?)

Ir + a + Infinitive (The Near Future)

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of ir + a + infinitive:

1. Esta noche, yo ______________ (estudiar) para el examen. (Tonight, I am going to study for the exam.)
2. Ellos ______________ (salir) a las ocho de la mañana. (They are going to leave at eight in the morning.)
3. Nosotros ______________ (visitar) a nuestros amigos mañana. (We are going to visit our friends tomorrow.)
4. ¿Tú ______________ (comprar) los boletos para el concierto? (Are you going to buy the tickets for the concert?)
5. Ella ______________ (preparar) la cena para sus padres. (She is going to prepare dinner for her parents.)

The Future Perfect Tense

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of haber + past participle in the future perfect tense:

1. Para el año 2025, yo ______________ (terminar) mi carrera. (By the year 2025, I will have finished my degree.)
2. ¿Crees que ellos ______________ (llegar) antes de la medianoche? (Do you think they will have arrived before midnight?)
3. Para cuando tú regreses, nosotros ya ______________ (salir). (By the time you return, we will have already left.)
4. Ella ______________ (leer) todo el libro antes del fin de semana. (She will have read the entire book before the weekend.)
5. Ustedes ______________ (completar) el proyecto para mañana, ¿verdad? (You all will have completed the project by tomorrow, right?)

Answers

The Simple Future Tense

1. llegarás
2. comerán
3. viajaremos
4. escribiré
5. harán

Ir + a + Infinitive (The Near Future)

1. voy a estudiar
2. van a salir
3. vamos a visitar
4. vas a comprar
5. va a preparar

The Future Perfect Tense

1. habré terminado
2. habrán llegado
3. habremos salido
4. habrá leído
5. habrán completado