In this module, we’ll focus on expressing future actions, plans, and possibilities. You will learn how to talk about what will happen using future tenses, and you will also dive into the use of conditional sentences, which express hypothetical situations, wishes, and polite requests. Mastering these concepts will allow you to discuss future plans, express desires, and make polite suggestions.
The future tense is used to describe actions that are going to happen or things that will occur.
The future tense is formed by adding the future endings to the infinitive verb (no need to remove the -ar, -er, or -ir endings).
Hablar – to Speak
Comer – to Eat
Vivir – to Live
The future tense can also be used to express probability, guesses, or assumptions about the present.
For commonly used Spanish verbs and their conjugation in the Future Tense, click here.
The near future is used when talking about actions that will happen very soon, usually referring to plans that are already decided.
The near future is formed with the verb ir (to go) in the present tense + a + the infinitive verb.
The conditional tense is used to talk about hypothetical actions or events, express wishes, or make polite requests. It can also express what you would do in certain situations.
The conditional is formed by adding the conditional endings to the infinitive verb (just like the future tense).
Hablar (to speak)
Comer (to eat)
Vivir (to live)
Si clauses (if clauses) are used to talk about conditions and their possible results. They are important for expressing hypothetical situations and possibilities.
First type of conditional (possible future condition): Si + present tense, future tense
Second type of conditional (unlikely situation): Si + imperfect subjunctive, conditional
Third type of conditional (impossible situation): Si + pluscuamperfecto subjunctive, conditional perfect
In Spanish, we use the subjunctive mood to express wishes, desires, and hopes.
The conditional tense is often used to make polite requests or offers.
The future tense can be used to express something that is likely to happen, even though we are uncertain.
The conditional is also used to express conjecture or speculation about the present or past.
By the end of this module, you will be able to talk confidently about future events, express hypothetical situations, make polite requests, and speculate about the future or past. Understanding both the future and conditional tenses will give you the ability to discuss plans, express desires, and hypothesize about what could have happened or might happen.