• Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
logo

855-997-4652 LOGINTRY A FREE CLASS

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
logo

855-997-4652 LOGINTRY A FREE CLASS

  • Programs
    • Preschool
    • Elementary School
    • Middle School
    • High School
    • Adults
    • School Solutions
  • School Solutions
  • Pricing
  • How it Works
  • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • My Cart
  • Login
  • Try a Free Class
November 3, 2019 by Ashley Reid Spanish Grammar 0 comments

The Future Tense in Spanish Using the Present (Say What!?)

I don’t know about you, but I love dreaming and making plans. Daydreaming is quite possibly my favorite pastime, and I talk about my hopes for the future all the time. A lot of our culture is about planning for the future—saving money, getting an education for a good job, outlining 5 and 10-year plans. We are always looking towards the future, which is why learning the future tense in Spanish is one of your priorities right now!

3 Future Tenses in Spanish

Spanish makes use of the future tense in three ways, including the one you’ll read about here. For more information, be sure to read about el futuro simple and el futuro próximo.

With this blog post, we are going to go over a tense that is technically not a future tense but is commonly used as such: using the simple present tense!

The Simple Present Tense

Yes, you read that correctly. We often use the simple present to talk about future plans! You are likely all caught up on the present tense, but just in case you need a refresher, here is an at-a-glance conjugation table for your enjoyment:

future tense in spanish

How Do I Use the Present to Discuss the Future?

There is one big idea that encompasses the uses of the simple present as a Spanish future tense: set plans.

When it’s Set in Stone

If you remember from our other blog posts about the future tenses, such as the near future and the simple future, none of them were used for set plans.

Whenever we have a plan completely established, we can use the present simple. Think of it this way:

If you got accepted to college for the coming fall and you finally have everything packed, all the paperwork is done, and financial aid is set up, you would say it was certain you were going. Of course, things happen that can’t be foreseen. However, based on what we know and what we can plan, everything is set for you to go to college. How would you express your plans for the fall?

I will go to college in a couple of months.

or

I’m going to college in a couple of months.

Don’t Use the Present Continuous

More than likely, you would use the second sentence as it expresses much more certainty. Wait, though. That’s the present continuous, not the present simple!

It’s important to note that we often use the present simple in Spanish when we would use the present continuous in English.

What’s the Difference in English and Spanish?

The present continuous in Spanish is used for things happening in this exact moment, while the English present continuous extends to plans we have in the future.

We’re going to Colombia in January.
Vamos a Colombia en enero.

I’m going to college in the fall.
Voy a la universidad en el otoño.

Can you see how these are set plans in the future? We often express this idea in English with the present continuous, but in Spanish it would be the present simple.

What are the similarities in English and Spanish?

There is yet another way to translate the presente simple into English.

Ella se casa el 17 de diciembre.
She gets married on December 17th.

Woah! We’re using the simple present in both English and Spanish! Sometimes it makes sense to use the simple present in English for things in the future. Here, we are looking at an event completely set in stone – the venue is booked, the caterer hired, the dress bought. Everything is set up and she is definitely getting married.

The Key to the Future Tense in Spanish Using the Present

Using the presente simple to express things in the future is pretty straightforward in Spanish: use it to talk about set plans. However, the trick is not to translate directly from English to Spanish as it will certainly confuse your use of tenses!

Try Your Luck Today

To help you in this process, try a FREE trial class with one of our native Spanish-speaking teachers. Practice your future tenses with them and have trial conversations! ¡Aprende más!

Want more Spanish grammar? Check these out!

  • Solo vs Solamente: What’s the Difference?
  • A Comprehensive Lesson on Demonstrative Adjectives in Spanish
  • Using Diminutives in Spanish for More Colorful Conversations
  • A Simple Intermediate Guide to Subjunctive Conditional Spanish
  • Cuál vs Qué: What’s the Difference?
  • Is it ‘Que’ or ‘De Que’? Find Out Which to Use and When
  • How to Master Plurals in Spanish Grammar
  • Your Guide to Future Irregulars in Spanish Grammar (with Free Cheat Sheet)
  • Afuera vs Fuera: Spanish Adverbs of Position
  • The Key to Using Modal Verbs in Spanish Grammar
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Ashley Reid
Ashley Reid
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
I have a B.A. in Linguistics and a passion for Spanish. I've lived in Latin America for almost a decade. I'm a freelance writer and ESL teacher, as well as a loving mom and wife. In my free time, I dabble in art and music.
Ashley Reid
Latest posts by Ashley Reid (see all)
  • Latin American Food: 15 Must-Try National Dishes of Latin America - January 2, 2021
  • The Ultimate Guide to Subjunctive Conjugation in Spanish - December 27, 2020
  • Estar Subjunctive: Present and Past Tense Subjunctive - December 23, 2020
spanish spanish fluency spanish grammar
0

Related Posts

Spanish commands

Spanish Commands: How to Form Them and Use Them with Your Crew

February 19, 2019
Read More
Spanish greetings

How Are You? Spanish Greetings

February 6, 2019
Read More
spanish pronouns

Spanish Pronouns

February 11, 2019
Read More
vos in Spanish

Vos and its use in Spanish – Voseo

March 28, 2019
Read More

Leave a Comment! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Pronominal Verbs in SpanishPrevious Post
How to Navigate Traffic in a Spanish-speaking CountryNext Post

About Us

HSA offers Spanish curricula for all ages. Schedule classes on any day of the week – you can take them on your own, or share a class and save money! We make it easy to learn at your own pace. LEARN MORE >

Resources

  • About
  • Get a Transcript
  • Take a Free Class
  • FAQs
  • How it Works
  • Partners

Recent Posts

  • The Fascinating Origin and History of Flag Day in Mexico
    The Fascinating Origin and History of Flag Day in Mexico
    February 24, 2021
    Did you know that in Mexico they have a...
  • ¿Qué Onda? Its Meaning, Origin, and Common Usage
    ¿Qué Onda? Its Meaning, Origin, and Common Usage
    February 24, 2021
    ¿Qué onda? is a question that Spanish...

Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Contact UsSitemap© 2021 HSA. All rights reserved.