You could actually use either tense in both sentences (and so Il mese prossimo comprerò casa; Tra qualche anno compro casa). The time markers (il mese prossimo, tra qualche anno) make it clear that we are talking about the future. Using the future tense just makes the event look more undetermined.
We use the Italian simple future to talk about an action in the more distant future that is still somewhat uncertain or undetermined. In Italian, you can talk about events and actions that will occur in the future using either the present or the future tense. You normally use the present tense when the event or action is very likely to happen in the near future, as in, domani vado a Roma(I’m going to Rome tomorrow). But, if the event or action is more distant or less certain, the future tense is a better choice: Tra qualche mese forse andrò a Roma(In a few months I will maybe go to Rome).
In this post we’ll discuss this future tense in depth, called futuro semplice(simple future), which is the equivalent of the English constructions “will + verb” and “going to + verb.” Ready for a journey into the future? Keep reading!
How to form the simple future tense in Italian?
To form the simple future, you just need to drop the -e of the ending and add the appropriate future ending. The endings of the simple future are the same for all three conjugations (-are, -ere and -ire). Let’s see in detail how regular and irregular verbs (mis)behave.
Regular verbs in the simple future tense
The rules for forming the simple future of verbs in Italian are given below:
For regular -ere and -ire verbs, form the simple future by dropping the final -e of the infinitive and adding the endings -ò, -ai, -à, -emo, -ete, and -anno.
For regular -are verbs, however, first turn the -a into an -e and then you can add the appropriate ending.
-are verbs cantare(to sing) | -ere verbs scrivere(to write) | -ire verbs finire(to finish) |
|---|---|---|
io canterò I will sing | io scriverò I will write | io finirò I will finish |
tu canterai you (inform.) will sing | tu scriverai you (inform.) will write | tu finirai you (inform.) will finish |
lui/lei/Lei canterà he/she/you (form.) will sing | lui/lei/Lei scriverà he/she/you (form.) will write | lui/lei/Lei finirà he/she/you (form.) will finish |
noi canteremo we will sing | noi scriveremo we will write | noi finiremo we will finish |
voi canterete you (plural) will sing | voi scriverete you (plural) will write | voi finirete you (plural) will finish |
loro canteranno they will sing | loro scriveranno they will write | loro finiranno they will finish |
Irregular verbs in the simple future
There are two different types of irregular verbs in the simple future, those with spelling changes that make them and those with changes that make them irregular.
Here the important groups of verbs that have spelling changes in the simple future:
Verbs ending in -ciare and -giare → Drop the -i- before you start conjugating. For example:
cominciare
Drop its final -i- → comincare
just like any other -are verb, change -a to -e → comincere
drop the final -e → comincer-
finally, add the appropriate ending (here, -emo). → cominceremo
Cominceremo alle 9.
We will start at 9 a.m.
mangiare
Drop its final -i- → mangare
just like any other -are verb, change -a to -e → mangere
drop the final -e → manger-
finally, add the appropriate ending (here, -ete). → mangerete
Mangerete in quel ristorante?
Will you eat at that restaurant?
Verbs ending in -care and -gare → add an extra -h- before the ending, to maintain their hard sound. For example:
giocare
Add -h- to its stem → giochare
just like any other -are verb, change -a to -e → giochere
drop the final -e → giocher-
finally, add the appropriate ending (here, -ò). → giocherò
Giocherò domenica alle 10.
I will play Sunday at 10 a.m.
pagare
Add -h- to its stem → paghare
just like any other -are verb, change -a to -e → paghere
drop the final -e → pagher-
finally, add the appropriate ending (here, -ete). → pagherete
Pagherete voi due?
Will you two pay?
Several verbs change their stem in the future tense but, luckily for us, endings are regular. Needless to say, essere and avere appear in this list, and their stem changes to sar- and avr-, respectively.
essere(to be) | avere(to have) |
|---|---|
io sarò I will be | io avrò I will have |
tu sarai you (inform.) will be | tu avrai you (inform.) will have |
lui/lei/Lei sarà he/she/you (form.) will be | lui/lei/Lei avrà he/she/you (form.) will have |
noi saremo we will be | noi avremo we will have |
voi sarete you (plural) will be | voi avrete you (plural) will have |
loro saranno they will be | loro avranno they will have |
There are several verbs that change their stem or have some spelling irregularities in the simple future. No worries though, we got you covered: we prepared a list with the most common Italian irregular verbs in the future.
How to use the simple future tense in Italian?
The simple future in Italian is not only used to talk about the future, but it can also express probability, doubt, uncertainty, and even give orders. Let’s go over these uses next!
How to use the simple future to talk about the future?
As we mentioned earlier, the simple future is used to talk about events, actions, and plans that are not completely planned out. Compare:
Present Tense | Future Tense |
|---|---|
Il mese prossimo compro casa. Next month I’m buying a home. → The event is so close that you have probably (hopefully!) figured out all the details. | Tra qualche anno comprerò casa. In a few years I will buy a home. → The event is currently more a desire, generic plan, or hope. |
Tip
How to use the simple future to talk about probability?
Another use of the simple future has nothing to do with future time. It is the so-called futuro di probabilità(future of probability), and is used to make assumptions about some present facts. Its English equivalents are sentences containing “probably” or “must.”
Example 1:
Che ore sono?
What time is it?
Non ne sono sicuro, ma saranno più o meno le sei.
I’m not sure, but it’s probably six o'clock.
Example 2:
Dov’è Elena?
Where’s Elena?
Sarà ancora in aereo; ha il telefono staccato.
She must be still on the plane; her phone is unreachable.
Other uses of the simple future tense
You can also use the future tense with no relation to the future:
when expressing doubt or uncertainty
Quelle scarpe hanno l’aria di essere preziose. Mi chiedo quanto costeranno!
Those shoes look valuable. I wonder how much they cost!
to question, or at least cut back, an opinion or a fact
Sarà anche una bella spiaggia, ma è incredibilmente affollata!
It certainly is a beautiful beach, but it’s incredibly crowded!
Tip
The present tense here works fine too (È una bella spiaggia, ma è incredibilmente affollata!) but the sentence is more descriptive. The future tense — called futuro concessivo(concessive future), in this specific instance — highlights the speaker’s point of view.
Sarà anche una spiaggia enorme, ma non è Malibu.
It definitely is a huge beach, but it’s not Malibu.
The future tense is used in this example to minimize the relevance of the fact, and again, to highlight the speaker's take on it.
to gently express an order
Mentre io sono al supermercato, tu ti occuperai dei bambini.
While I’m at the supermarket, you will take care of the kids.
Tip
The future tense is often found in an expression used to introduce an opinion, often softening it, often softening it, which is ti dirò(I’m telling you):
Ti dirò: penso che tu abbia torto.
I’m telling you: I believe you’re wrong.
Time markers used with the simple future in Italian
There are several time markers that can help you figure out that we are talking about the future time regardless of the verb tense since, as we have seen, the present tense is often used in place of the future. Here are the most common ones:
Time markers | Examples |
|---|---|
domani tomorrow | presentfuture simple Domani andiamo/andremo al cinema. Tomorrow we are going to the movies. |
dopodomani the day after tomorrow | presentfuture simple Dopodomani avete/avrete l’esame? The day after tomorrow are you having the exam? |
prossimo next | presentfuture simple L’anno prossimo mi sposo/mi sposerò. Next year I’m getting married. |
tra (or fra) in + time expression | presentfuture simple Elena si laurea/laureerà tra due mesi. Next year I’m getting married. |
Also, the future tense can be used after some , such as quando(when), (non) appena(as soon as), dopo che(after), or finché(as long as).
- future tense
Finché abiterò in questo appartamento, non potrò avere un cane.
As long as I live in this apartment, I cannot have a dog.
- future tense
Non appena finirò gli studi, mi trasferirò a Torino.
As soon as I’m done with my studies, I will move to Turin.
- future tense
Dopo che chiarirete la situazione, tornerete amiche come prima.
After you clear up the situation, you will be friends like before.
Notice that in English, the present tense is used in these instances.
Verbs and expressions used to talk about the future in Italian
There are a few common expressions used to talk about the future:
stare per(to be about to) + , which is used to indicate that something is about to happen. Although the expression technically relates to the future, it is so just for a matter of seconds. If I say sto per uscire(I’m about to go out), it means that I’m basically by the door, unless I’m using it as an excuse for my tardiness.
essere sul punto di(to be about to) + infinitive, which is similar to stare per:
Sono talmente stanco che sono sul punto di addormentarmi.
I’m so tired that I’m about to fall asleep.
avere intenzione di(to intend to) + infinitive:
Ho intenzione di tenere il telefono spento tutto il week-end.
I intend to keep my phone turned off the whole weekend.
pensare di(to think about) + infinitive:
Penso di partire tra un mese.
I’m thinking about leaving in a month.
sognare di(to dream of) + infinitive:
Sogno di diventare avvocato.
I dream of becoming a lawyer.
sperare di(to hope to) + infinitive:
Sperano di trasferirsi presto.
They hope to move soon.
Summary
When using the simple future tense in Italian, keep the following tips in mind:
The futuro semplice is used to talk about future events that are quite far in the future and not completely planned out. If the events are very close to the present time and will likely happen, the present tense is preferred instead.
The futuro semplice can also be used with no reference to the future time to make assumptions about present facts, to question an opinion, to gently give commands, and to express doubt.
To form the simple future, you need to drop the -e of the infinitive ending of the verb and add the appropriate future ending. With -are verbs, you also need to change the -a of the ending in -e.
There are a number of verbs with irregular stems in the future; and some verbs feature spelling changes. Some patterns will help you, though; and WE can help you, with this useful cheat sheet.
That’s it for the theory! Here’s some practice for you. And, if you’d like to practice the future while listening to two of the greatest Italian singer-songwriters, you can search for La cura, from Franco Battiato, and Futura (most appropriate title ever) from Lucio Dalla. Happy singing-learning!
Ready to learn more about the compound form of the future in Italian? Then go check out our post on the Italian Futuro Anteriore!
