A2 · Elementary Chapter 4

Planning for the Future

3 Total Rules
32 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of planning your future and making predictions in Spanish with confidence.

  • Express definite plans using the 'Ir + a + Infinitive' structure.
  • Conjugate regular verbs in the simple future tense.
  • Discuss predictions and promises using future tense endings.
From today's plans to tomorrow's dreams.

What You'll Learn

Hey there, language explorer! Ready to shape your future in Spanish? You've already got a great grasp of the basics, and now it's time to level up and talk about everything that's coming next – from your weekend plans to wild predictions! First up, we'll dive into 'Ir + a + Infinitive'. This is your go-to for talking about definite plans, just like 'going to' in English. Want to say, 'I'm going to shop tomorrow,' or 'We're going to the park with friends'? This simple structure makes it super easy to express all your upcoming activities without a hitch. You'll master how to clearly state your specific, planned actions. Then, we'll move on to the 'Futuro Simple' – the simple future tense, or the 'will' tense. This is where you can say, 'I will go tomorrow,' or 'She will definitely come.' By just adding a few simple endings (like -é, -ás, -á) directly to the infinitive, you can discuss broader future events, make predictions, and even express solemn promises, like 'The weather will be sunny tomorrow' or 'I will always help you.' It's even handy for making present-tense guesses, like 'He will be hungry' (meaning 'He's probably hungry'). So, by the end of this chapter, you won't just be reacting to the present; you'll be actively discussing and shaping the future! You'll be able to confidently make social plans, chat about your next vacation, understand weather forecasts, and even make promises to your Spanish-speaking friends. Excited? Let's get started!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: describe your weekend itinerary using the 'going to' structure.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: make predictions about the weather or future events using the simple future.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome, future-fluent Spanish speaker! This chapter is your gateway to mastering how to discuss what's next, from your immediate plans to broader predictions. As an A2 Spanish grammar learner, you've already built a strong foundation, and now we're adding essential tools to talk about the future. Being able to articulate future events is crucial for everyday conversations, allowing you to make plans, express intentions, and understand forecasts. We'll explore two primary ways to express the future in Spanish: the highly practical Ir + a + Infinitive construction and the versatile Futuro Simple (Simple Future) tense.
Understanding these structures will significantly enhance your communication skills, enabling you to confidently arrange social events, share your aspirations, and even make educated guesses about what might happen. Whether you're planning a trip, discussing tomorrow's weather, or simply telling a friend what you're going to do later, this chapter will equip you with the necessary linguistic tools. Get ready to discuss and shape your future in Spanish with confidence!

How This Grammar Works

Let's dive into the two main ways to express future actions and predictions in Spanish.
First up is Ir + a + Infinitive, which is your go-to for talking about definite, immediate plans, very much like "going to" in English. This structure is wonderfully straightforward. You simply take the verb ir (to go), conjugate it for the subject in the present tense, add the preposition a, and then follow it with the infinitive of the action verb.
Here's how ir is conjugated in the present tense:
* Yo voy (I go)
* Tú vas (You go - informal)
* Él/Ella/Usted va (He/She/You go - formal)
* Nosotros/as vamos (We go)
* Vosotros/as vais (You all go - informal, Spain)
* Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes van (They/You all go - formal)
So, for example:
* Voy a estudiar español mañana. (I'm going to study Spanish tomorrow.) - A clear plan.
* Ella va a visitar a su abuela este fin de semana. (She's going to visit her grandmother this weekend.) - A definite intention.
* Vamos a comer pizza esta noche. (We're going to eat pizza tonight.) - A specific, arranged activity.
Next, we have the Futuro Simple, or the Simple Future tense, which corresponds to "will" in English. This tense is used for broader future events, predictions, promises, and even making guesses about the present. Forming the Futuro Simple for regular verbs is surprisingly easy: you take the entire infinitive of the verb and add specific endings directly to it. The endings are the same for all -ar, -er, and -ir verbs:
* -é (for yo)
* -ás (for tú)
* -á (for él/ella/usted)
* -emos (for nosotros/as)
* -éis (for vosotros/as)
* -án (for ellos/ellas/ustedes)
Let's see some examples:
* Yo comeré más tarde. (I will eat later.) - A general future action.
* Ella hablará con su jefe. (She will speak with her boss.) - A future event.
* Nosotros viviremos en España algún día. (We will live in Spain someday.) - A prediction or aspiration.
* Haré la tarea. (I will do the homework.) - A promise. (Note: Hacer is irregular, but still uses these endings).
* Estará cansado. (He will be tired.) - A guess about the present ("He's probably tired").

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: *Voy comprar un libro.*
✓ Correct: Voy a comprar un libro. (I'm going to buy a book.)
*Explanation:* When using Ir + a + Infinitive, the preposition a is essential between the conjugated form of ir and the infinitive verb. It acts as the "to" in "going to do something."
  1. 1✗ Wrong: *Mañana va a llover mucho.*
✓ Correct: Mañana lloverá mucho. (Tomorrow it will rain a lot.)
*Explanation:* While "ir + a + infinitive" can sometimes be used for predictions, especially in informal speech, the Futuro Simple is the more natural and grammatically precise choice for general weather forecasts or less certain predictions. Using the Futuro Simple gives the prediction a more formal or general tone, suitable for forecasts.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: *Nosotros estudiamos para el examen el lunes.*
✓ Correct: Nosotros vamos a estudiar para el examen el lunes. OR Nosotros estudiaremos para el examen el lunes. (We are going to study for the exam on Monday. / We will study for the exam on Monday.)
*Explanation:* While the present tense can sometimes imply future actions with time markers, it's generally clearer and more grammatically correct for A2 learners to use an explicit future construction. Ir + a + Infinitive emphasizes a definite plan, while Futuro Simple indicates a general future action or intention.

Real Conversations

A

A

¿Qué vas a hacer este fin de semana? (What are you going to do this weekend?)
B

B

Voy a visitar a mis amigos y luego iremos al cine. (I'm going to visit my friends and then we will go to the cinema.)
A

A

¿Crees que el equipo ganará el partido mañana? (Do you think the team will win the game tomorrow?)
B

B

¡Claro que sí! Jugarán muy bien y ganarán. (Of course! They will play very well and they will win.)
A

A

¿Cuándo vas a terminar tu proyecto? (When are you going to finish your project?)
B

B

Lo terminaré el viernes, sin falta. (I will finish it on Friday, without fail.)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I know whether to use Ir + a + Infinitive or the Futuro Simple?

Use Ir + a + Infinitive for definite, planned, or immediate future actions, like "I'm going to eat lunch soon." Use the Futuro Simple for broader future events, predictions, promises, or less certain future actions, like "It will be cold tomorrow."

Q

Are there irregular verbs in the Futuro Simple?

Yes, some common verbs have irregular stems but still use the same future endings. For example, tener becomes tendr-, hacer becomes har-, and decir becomes dir-. However, for A2, focus on the regular pattern first!

Q

Can I use Ir + a + Infinitive for predictions too?

Yes, absolutely! Especially in informal, spoken Spanish, Ir + a + Infinitive is very common for predictions, particularly when they feel more immediate or certain ("Look at those clouds, it's going to rain!"). The Futuro Simple is also correct for predictions and can sound a bit more formal or general.

Q

What's the most common way to talk about the future in casual Spanish?

In everyday, casual conversations, Ir + a + Infinitive is extremely common, especially for immediate or definite plans. It's often preferred over the Futuro Simple for its directness and simplicity.

Cultural Context

In many Spanish-speaking countries, particularly in informal speech, Ir + a + Infinitive is overwhelmingly the most common way to express future actions and even many predictions. It's perceived as more natural and immediate. The Futuro Simple, while grammatically correct and widely understood, often carries a slightly more formal tone or is reserved for more distant, less certain events, official announcements, or literary contexts. However, both forms are essential for a complete understanding of Spanish grammar A2 future tenses.

Key Examples (6)

1

Voy a ver una película en Netflix esta noche.

I'm going to watch a movie on Netflix tonight.

Spanish Plans: Using 'Going To' (Ir + a + Infinitive)
2

Mañana vamos a pedir comida por Uber Eats.

Tomorrow we are going to order food through Uber Eats.

Spanish Plans: Using 'Going To' (Ir + a + Infinitive)
3

Te llamaré cuando llegue al aeropuerto.

I will call you when I arrive at the airport.

Spanish Simple Future: The 'Will' Tense (Futuro Simple)
4

El próximo año viajaré por toda Europa.

Next year I will travel all over Europe.

Spanish Simple Future: The 'Will' Tense (Futuro Simple)
5

El próximo verano viajaré a Japón.

Next summer I will travel to Japan.

Spanish Future Simple: Talking about 'Will' (-é, -ás, -á)
6

Mañana comerás con nosotros, ¿verdad?

Tomorrow you will eat with us, right?

Spanish Future Simple: Talking about 'Will' (-é, -ás, -á)

Tips & Tricks (3)

💡

Keep it simple

Don't overthink the future. Use 'ir a' for 90% of your daily plans.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Plans: Using 'Going To' (Ir + a + Infinitive)
💡

Keep the infinitive

Don't remove the -ar, -er, or -ir ending.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Simple Future: The 'Will' Tense (Futuro Simple)
💡

Don't drop the infinitive

Always keep the full infinitive (hablar, comer) before adding the ending.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Future Simple: Talking about 'Will' (-é, -ás, -á)

Key Vocabulary (5)

mañana tomorrow próximo next viajar to travel comer to eat estudiar to study

Real-World Preview

coffee

Planning the Weekend

Review Summary

  • [Ir] + a + [Infinitive]
  • [Infinitive] + [é, ás, á, emos, éis, án]

Common Mistakes

Students often forget the preposition 'a' between the conjugated 'ir' and the infinitive.

Wrong: Yo voy comer.
Correct: Yo voy a comer.

Do not add 'a' before the infinitive when using the simple future tense.

Wrong: Yo comeré a estudiar.
Correct: Yo estudiaré.

The infinitive must remain in its base form after 'voy a'.

Wrong: Yo voy a estudiaré.
Correct: Yo voy a estudiar.

Next Steps

You have done an incredible job today. Keep practicing these structures in your daily life, and you will be speaking about your future with total fluency in no time!

Write a 5-sentence prediction for your next year.

Continue to: Advanced Future and Polite Requests

Quick Practice (9)

Conjugate 'hablar' for 'yo'.

Yo ___ mañana.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hablaré
Yo takes the -é ending.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Future Simple: Talking about 'Will' (-é, -ás, -á)

Find the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Yo haceré la tarea.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: haré
Hacer is irregular.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Future Simple: Talking about 'Will' (-é, -ás, -á)

Select the correct form for 'nosotros'.

Nosotros ___ pizza.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: comeremos
Nosotros takes the -emos ending.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Future Simple: Talking about 'Will' (-é, -ás, -á)

Choose the correct form.

Ellos ___ a estudiar.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: van
Ellos matches with van.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Plans: Using 'Going To' (Ir + a + Infinitive)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Voy a como.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Voy a comer
Second verb must be infinitive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Plans: Using 'Going To' (Ir + a + Infinitive)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Yo hablaré con él -> Yo hablé con él.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Incorrect
Hablé is past.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Simple Future: The 'Will' Tense (Futuro Simple)

Choose the correct form.

Nosotros ___ (comer) pizza.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: comeremos
Nosotros uses -emos.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Simple Future: The 'Will' Tense (Futuro Simple)

Conjugate 'ir' correctly.

Yo ___ a comer.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: voy
Yo matches with voy.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Plans: Using 'Going To' (Ir + a + Infinitive)

Conjugate the verb in the future.

Yo (hablar) ___ con él.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: hablaré
Yo uses -é.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Spanish Simple Future: The 'Will' Tense (Futuro Simple)

Score: /9

Common Questions (6)

It is better to use the simple future for distant events, but 'ir a' is acceptable.
It is neutral and used in almost all contexts.
No, keep the whole infinitive.
Yes, like 'hacer' (har-) and 'tener' (tendr-).
No! Keep the whole infinitive.
Yes, but only the stem changes.
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Mastering Pronoun Placement and Combinations
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Advanced Future and Polite Requests
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