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Learn how to use the Spanish verb "estar" in the future tense combined with the gerund to talk about actions that will be ongoing in the future. This lesson guides you through constructing sentences for describing future activities in progress, with practical examples and key grammar notes ideal for A2 learners.
  1. The structure is "estar" + the verb in the gerund (ando, iendo...)
  2. The verb "Estar" is conjugated in the simple future.
  3. The most common use is in the present, but it can also be used in the simple future to talk about actions planned for a specific moment in the future.
Estar en futuro (To be in the future)Verbos (Verbs)Ejemplos (Examples)
EstaréCompletarYo estaré completando el curso de matemáticas.
EstarásAprenderTú estarás aprendiendo nuevas habilidades.
EstaráTrabajarÉl estará trabajando en el aula mañana.
EstaremosEstudiarNosotros estaremos estudiando para el examen final.
EstaréisEnseñarVosotros estaréis enseñando en la academia.
EstaránInvestigarEllos estarán investigando en el laboratorio.

Exercise 1: El verbo "Estar"+ Gerundio para hablar del futuro

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

estaréis preparando, estaréis aprendiendo, estarás ganando, estaremos estudiando, estará completando, estaré pagando, estaremos haciendo, estarán trabajando

1. Preparar:
Ustedes ... los exámenes finales.
(You will be preparing the final exams.)
2. Ganar experiencia:
Tú ... experiencia en tus prácticas
(You will be gaining experience in your work placement)
3. Trabajar:
Ellos ... en el aula del colegio.
(They will be working in the classroom at school.)
4. Pagar:
Yo ... la matrícula esta semana.
(I will be paying the tuition fee this week.)
5. Aprender:
Vosotros ... nuevas habilidades académicas.
(You will be learning new academic skills.)
6. Estudiar:
Nosotros ... en la academia toda la tarde.
(We will be studying at the academy all afternoon.)
7. Hacer prácticas:
En septiembre nosotros ... las prácticas escolares.
(In September we will be doing the school placements.)
8. Completar:
Ella ... su curso en una hora.
(She will be finishing her course in an hour.)

Using "Estar" + Gerund to Talk About the Future in Spanish

This lesson focuses on how to use the verb "estar" conjugated in the future tense combined with the gerund form of another verb to describe actions that will be in progress at a specific time in the future. This grammatical structure is useful to express ongoing activities expected to happen and continue during a future moment.

Key Grammar Concept

The formula to create this construction is: "estar" in the future simple tense + verb in gerund form (ending in -ando or -iendo). For instance, "estaré completando" means "I will be completing." This structure highlights actions that will be actively taking place.

Examples and Common Verbs

  • Estaré completando el curso - I will be completing the course.
  • Estarás aprendiendo habilidades nuevas - You will be learning new skills.
  • Estará trabajando en el aula - He will be working in the classroom.
  • Estaremos estudiando para el examen - We will be studying for the exam.
  • Estaréis enseñando en la academia - You all will be teaching at the academy.
  • Estarán investigando en el laboratorio - They will be researching in the lab.

Usage Notes

Although "estar + gerund" is commonly used in the present tense to describe ongoing actions now, it can also be applied in the future tense to emphasize an action that is expected to be happening at a given moment ahead. This nuance can add precision to your descriptions of future plans or situations.

Important Differences from English

In English, expressing future ongoing actions typically involves the future continuous tense ("will be doing"). Spanish expresses this similarly but relies on conjugating "estar" in the future tense plus the gerund form. For example, "I will be studying" translates directly to "Estaré estudiando." This structure may seem to have no exact equivalent in English other than the future continuous, but learning it is crucial for framing events with a clear time context in Spanish.

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