In Spanish as well as English, we most often use the word “will” followed by a verb when referring to future events. For example, tomorrow I will go to Mexico.

However, if you pay close attention to most conversations in English, you will notice the verb “to go” is used much more frequently than the word “will” when talking about the future. The same holds true for Spanish. So, in both Spanish ans English you are more likely to hear ” I am going to the market” instead of “I will go to the market.”

Using the verb “to go’ instead of “will” when talking in the future is called the “false future.” Learning to use the so-called “false future” is much easier than using the traditional future tense.

The verb “IR“, pronounced like the English word “ear,” means “to go” in Spanish. When conjugated in the present tense, it can have one of the following meanings: voy – I go, vas – you go (familiar), va – he she it goes, vamos – we go and van – they or you (plural) go.

There are two formulas to remember when usuing “ir” to express the future. First, use any of the conjugated verb forms of “ir” given in the last paragraph, followed by an “a” and plus a noun (which usually names a place). For example, Voy a Mexico. (I’m going to Mexico) or (We are going to the market) etc.

The verb “ir” may also be used to talk about a future action. You can do this by using any of the previous conjugations of the verb “ir” followed by the letter “a” and an “unconjugated verb.” For example, Voy a comprar un carro (I’m going to buy a car) or Joe va a comer pizza (Joe is going to eat pizza). Get the idea?

By memorizing these structures and practicing, you should be able to communicate effectively in Spanish when talking about the future.

Tiquismo of the week:
Limpio usually means “clean” in Spanish, but in Costa Rica it is sometimes used when a person is “broke” or hasn’t any money.