Futuro - Spanish Future Tense - Usage

There are two ways to express an event that will occur in the future: el futuro and el futuro próximo.

El futuro is used for upcoming events. It is usually translated as will.

Iré al banco mañana - I will go to the bank tomorrow.

¿Estarás a la fiesta? - Will you be at the party?

El futuro can be used in a si (if... then...) clause (conditional sentence), if the condition verb is in the present (learn more):

Si tú vienes, yo estaré muy contento - If you come, I will be very happy.

Él nos ayudará si le pagamos - He will help us if we pay him.

El futuro próximo is used when the upcoming event is to occur in the near future. It is usually translated as going to. It is formed with the correct conjugation of the verb ir (to go) + a + the infinitive of the action that is about to occur.

Voy a comer ahora - I'm going to eat now.

Vamos a salir en 20 minutos - We're going to leave in 20 minutes.

The distinction between el futuro and el futuro próximo is not always clear - there are many situations where you can use either one.

©   Laura K. Lawless
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