Grammar Chapter 13: Immediate Future Tense

The Immediate Future Tense

• The immediate future tense is formed using the formula: IR + a + Infinitive
• This construction is used to indicate a definite intention or plan, especially in relation to an event in the near future
• It is equivalent to the English "going to" form

Conjugation of Verbs in the Immediate Future Tense

• Yo: voy a + Infinitive
• Tú: vas a + Infinitive
• Él/Ella/Usted: va a + Infinitive
• Nosotros/as: vamos a + Infinitive
• Vosotros/as: vais a + Infinitive
• Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes: van a + Infinitive

Examples of the Immediate Future Tense

• Ella va a estar aquí esta Navidad. (She is going to be here this Christmas)
• Creo que va a llover. (I think it is going to rain)
• Voy a levantarme/Me voy a levantar a las ocho mañana. (I am going to get up at 8 o'clock tomorrow)

Alternative Way to Express Planned Intention in the Near Future

• Using the present tense to express a planned, perhaps scheduled, near future intention
• Examples:
  • Mañana el jefe discute los planes en la reunión. (Tomorrow the boss will discuss the plans at the meeting)
  • El vuelo sale a las siete. (The flight will leave at seven o'clock)

Reflexive Verbs in the Immediate Future Tense

• Two ways to treat reflexive verbs:
  • Move the reflexive pronoun to the front of the conjugated verb: Me voy a levantar a las ocho de la mañana
  • Leave the reflexive pronoun at the end of the infinitive: Voy a levantarme a las ocho de la mañana

Learn how to conjugate verbs in the immediate future tense using the IR + a + Infinitive formula, equivalent to the English 'going to' form.