La forma más común para expresar una idea futura en español es utilizando el futuro de indicativo. Ahora bien, existen otras formas de expresar esas ideas futuras, usando otros tiempos verbales o perífrasis verbales, que mantienen la idea de futuro.
1. Presente de indicativo. The present tense can have a future value, especially when we talk about schedules, or when we talk about plans in the future that are fixed like a timetable. It can also be used to express upcoming facts as closest to the speaker.
El tren sale a las ocho y media.
The train leaves at 8.30.
Este fin de semana nos vamos de excursión a la montaña.
This weekend we are going on a trip to the mountain.
Empiezo un nuevo trabajo el lunes.
I start my new job on Monday.
2. Ir a + infinitivo. The perífrasis verbal "ir a + infinitive" is the equivalent of the English structure "going to + verb".
Uses:2.a The speaker has the certainty that something will happen inminently
El cielo está muy nublado. Va a llover.
The sky is cloudy. It's going to rain.
1. Presente de indicativo. The present tense can have a future value, especially when we talk about schedules, or when we talk about plans in the future that are fixed like a timetable. It can also be used to express upcoming facts as closest to the speaker.
El tren sale a las ocho y media.
The train leaves at 8.30.
Este fin de semana nos vamos de excursión a la montaña.
This weekend we are going on a trip to the mountain.
Empiezo un nuevo trabajo el lunes.
I start my new job on Monday.
2. Ir a + infinitivo. The perífrasis verbal "ir a + infinitive" is the equivalent of the English structure "going to + verb".
Uses:2.a The speaker has the certainty that something will happen inminently
El cielo está muy nublado. Va a llover.
The sky is cloudy. It's going to rain.