The Spanish Future tense is used to express actions that will take place in the future, and like in English, it has its own set of irregular verbs that don’t follow the standard conjugation rules. In this article, we’ll explore the irregular verbs in Spanish Future tense, how to conjugate them, and some examples to help you understand their usage.
Irregular Verbs in Spanish Future
First, let’s review the standard conjugation for regular verbs in the Spanish future tense. The future tense is formed by adding the appropriate ending to the infinitive of the verb. For example, the verb
However, irregular verbs in Spanish Future tense don’t follow this standard conjugation. There are only 12 irregular verbs in Spanish Future tense and they can be divided into three main groups based on their changes. Let’s take a look at them.
Dropping –e –
This group includes verbs that drop the letter –
| Stem | |
¿Crees que cabremos? Mi coche es pequeño. ¿Por qué no llevamos el tuyo?
Do you think we will fit? My car is small. Why don’t we take yours?
En el desfile habrá disfraces, música y luces. ¡Me encanta el Carnaval!
In the parade there will be costumes, music and lights. I love Carnival!
Ustedes podrán visitar el piso a partir de mañana. Ahora está ocupado.
You will be able to visit the apartment after tomorrow. Now it is busy.
El lunes sabremos los resultados de los análisis. Os puedo llamar para comunicároslos.
On Monday we will know the results of the tests. I can call you to let you know about them.
Adding –dr –
This group includes verbs that drop the infinitive endings –
| Stem | |
Esta noche me pondré el vestido azul. Es un regalo de mi abuela.
Tonight I will wear the blue dress. It is my grandmother’s present.
Yo saldré pronto para llegar a tiempo, ¿de acuerdo?
I will leave early to arrive on time, do you agree?
Nosotros tendremos habitaciones disponibles mañana.
Tomorrow we will have available rooms.
La semana que viene, esta misma suite valdrá el doble.
Next week, this same suite will cost double.
El servicio de habitaciones vendrá en un minuto.
The room service will come in a minute.
Stem Ending in –r –
This group includes three verbs that are completely irregular. Their stem ends in –
| Stem | |
En recepción nos dirán a qué hora son las comidas.
We will be told at reception the times of the meals.
No se preocupe, señor, el servicio de habitaciones hará su cama todos los días.
Don’t worry, sir, the room service will make your bed every day.
Para nuestras próximas vacaciones, ¿querrás pensión completa o media pensión?
For our next vacation, will you like full-board or half-board?
Exercises
Here are some exercises to practice the irregular verbs in Spanish Future tense.
It’s interesting how many of the most common verbs in both English and Spanish are irregular. But as language changes, the words most often used will change more than those used less frequently.
English and Spanish languages have had different paths. I like the etymology or word origins and one interesting thing about the Future in Spanish is that it doesn’t come directly from the Latin Future tense, but from the phrase “infinitive + habere” (which was used to express an obligation):
> cantare habeo > cantar he > «cantaré»
> cantare habes > cantar has > «cantarás»
> cantare habet > cantar ha > «cantará»
> cantare habemus > cantar hemos > «cantaremos»
> cantare habetis > cantar habéis > «cantaréis»
> cantare habent > cantar han > «cantarán»
Over time, the “obligation” became a wish for the future and, about the words or forms, the “h” was lost and the two words were combined to create the Future tense. You can also find these “haber” forms in the Spanish Present Perfect (I have eaten = yo he comido).
Thank you for that information. I find Spanish verbs very confusing. I know I need to simply learn them without complaining, but to go from haber to he is more complicated than eat to ate.