Continuous + futuro?

[ducviloxi]

Is it correct combine the continuous and the future?

Por ejemplo:

Estoy pensando que voy a ir a Mexico este fin de semana.
[I am thinking that I will go to Mexico this weekend ~ I am thinking of going to Mexico this weekend]

I said this to a native speaker and he didn't say anything to correct me and understood me but I am now wondering if this is even correct.

[Rusty]

It's OK, but this sounds like you're translating word-for-word from English. English speakers learning Spanish tend to overuse the continuous tense. The Spanish simple present tense conveys four different English tenses.

Fewer words can be used: 'Pienso ir a ...'

[ducviloxi]

can I also say Pienso que voy a ir? and Pienso que iré?

y la forma negativa: No pienso que vaya a ir y No pienso que fuere

[Rusty]

You can say these phrases, yes, but there's no need for the extra words.
Pienso ir a = I think I'll go to / I'm thinking I'll go to

Don't use the future subjunctive (fuere). It isn't used. Use the present subjunctive instead.

If there's no change in subject, there's no need to start up another clause. In other words, there's no need for two verbs conjugated in the same person separated by a conjunction). Just use one conjugated verb followed by an infinitive.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I agree with Rusty, although I will add a little something: I like the sentence, because it does sound natural for a Mexican's daily speech, but for this particular case, we'd find a nuance in meaning:


The use of continuous tense for us gives the idea of the process of considering something.

·Estoy pensando en hacer una fiesta. -> I haven't decided yet, but I'm considering if I should make a party (Do I have enough money? Will neighbours complain? Will there be enough/too many people? Do I want to go through all it takes to organize a party?...)
-Negative:
·No estoy pensando en hacer una fiesta. -> I'm not planning a party.
·Estoy pensando en no hacer una fiesta. -> If I was going to make a party, now I'm considering I won't.


·Estoy pensando en ir a México este fin de semana. -> I would like to go, but I haven't decided yet, as I'm considering my options (Can I buy a transportation ticket? Is my car fit for the journey? Do I have a place to stay? Is anyone going with me? Is it worth going to Mexico instead of pairing socks at home?...)
-Negative:
·No estoy pensando en ir a México... -> I'm not planning to go.
·Estoy pensando en no ir a México... -> I'm thinking I will not go to Mexico.


Present tense sentence is a little more "concrete":

·Pienso ir a México este fin de semana. -> I have decided and if everything is as I have it planned, I will go.
-Negative:
·No pienso ir a México... -> I'm not going (not even considering to go.)
·Pienso no ir a México... -> I think I won't go.

·Pienso hacer una fiesta. -> I want to make a party, and I will, unless something extraordinary happens.
-Negative:
·No pienso hacer una fiesta. -> I am not planning to make a party.


"Pienso que voy a ir a México" may have yet another meaning: I think fate will make me go to Mexico. (I don't know why, but I believe I will go to Mexico)
-Negative:
·Pienso que no voy a ir a México. / No pienso que vaya a ir a México. -> I have reasons to believe I'm not going to Mexico.

[ducviloxi]

muchas gracias!