Three ways of saying “will”
CEFR B1 · part 1
edumaterial's parts within the level. The European framework does not subdivide them.
“Quiero que vengas”: the subjunctiveForming the present subjunctive and using it after verbs of wanting, asking, feeling and…Giving orders, and being polite about itForming commands for “tú”, “usted”, “vosotros” and “ustedes”, positive and negative…“Creo que es” but “no creo que sea”Choosing indicative or subjunctive after verbs of thinking, saying and seeming…“Pedir” or “preguntar”: one “ask”, two verbsUsing “preguntar” for a question and “pedir” for a request: “le pregunté la hora”…“Quedar”, “quedarse”, “dejar”Four everyday verbs that English packs into “stay”, “leave”, “keep” and “arrange”…“Ser” or “estar”: two verbs for one “to be”Choosing between “ser” and “estar” in everyday sentences: who you are and what you are…The rule, in three lines
Spanish has three ways of talking about the future and they are not interchangeable in tone: the plain present for what is scheduled (mañana trabajo), ir a + infinitive for plans and for what you can already see coming (voy a llamarle), and the simple future for predictions and promises (llamaré mañana). In speech the first two do most of the work.
The usual slip. Using the simple future for everything because it looks like the English “will”, which makes ordinary sentences sound like announcements.
Why it catches you out. You already feel the difference between “will” and “going to”, and that half transfers straight across to “llamaré” and “voy a llamar”. What does not transfer is the third one: a plain present as a future — “el tren sale a las seis” — which in English needs “leaves” and a timetable to sound right.