There are two main ways to express the future. They are sometimes interchangeable, but
they can often have different meanings.
WILL
ESTRUCTURA
AFIRMATIVO: Sujeto + “will” + verbo principal.
NEGATIVO: Sujeto + “will” + “not” + verbo principal.
INTERROGATIVO: “Will” + sujeto + verbo principal?
EJEMPLOS
They will [They’ll] be happy to see you
They will not [won’t] be happy to see you.
Will they be happy to see you?
GOING TO
ESTRUCTURA:
AFIRMATIVO: Sujeto + verbo auxiliar (to be) + “going to” + verbo principal.
NEGATIVO:Sujeto + verbo auxiliar (to be) + “not” + “going to” + verbo principal.
INTERROGATIVO: Verbo auxiliar (to be) + sujeto + “going to” + verbo principal?
Going to” equivale a “ir a” en español.
EJEMPLOS:
I am going to call you tonight.
I am not going to call you tonight
Are you going to call me tonight?
IDIOMATIC FUTURE
It is formed with the structure to be + going to followed by a verb in its simple form and is used to
indicate future events with implications of compulsion, determination, need or obligation.
ESTRUCTURA
AFIRMATIVO
sujeto + verbo to be (conjugado) + verbo go (gerundio) + to + verbo (forma simple).V
NEGATIVO
sujeto + verbo to be (conjugado) + NOT + verbo go (gerundio) + to + verbo (forma simple)
INTERROGATIVO
verbo to be (conjugado) + sujeto + verbo go (gerundio) + to + verbo (forma simple) + signo de
interrogación (?).
EJEMPLOS
I am going to write a letter
Paul is going not to buy a car
Are you going to stay here?
it is used especially when talking about decisions prior to the moment in which it is spoken or when
there is a possibility that something will happen. This idiomatic future is made up of three elements.
First, there is the verb to be (to be or to be) that must be conjugated. (must be in accordance with the
subject). Then, the verb go (to go) must be placed in a gerund together with the particle to. Finally, the
main verb is placed in its simple form. In Spanish, it translates to go to (eat, dance, play).