Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Translations


"Voy a (infinitive)" vs. Future tense

 

If you need help translating a sentence or longer piece of text, use this forum. For translations or definitions of a single word or idiom, use the vocabulary forum.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old June 22, 2010, 03:23 PM
satchrocks satchrocks is offline
Ruby
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 59
Native Language: English/Ingles
satchrocks is on a distinguished road
"Voy a (infinitive)" vs. Future tense

In English, the phrase "I will eat" seems to carry more definitive force than "I am going to eat." Does the same apply in Spanish?

For example, if someone were to ask my my plans for the night (in Spanish, of course) and I were to respond, which would be more acceptable?

"Voy a comer, entonces voy a ir al cine"

or

"Yo comeré, entonces iré al cine."
__________________
Mi español necesita mejorar mucho. Por favor, no dudar en corrige. Gracias.
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old June 22, 2010, 03:42 PM
chileno's Avatar
chileno chileno is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Las Vegas, USA
Posts: 7,863
Native Language: Castellano
chileno is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by satchrocks View Post
In English, the phrase "I will eat" seems to carry more definitive force than "I am going to eat." Does the same apply in Spanish?

For example, if someone were to ask my my plans for the night (in Spanish, of course) and I were to respond, which would be more acceptable?

"Voy a comer, entonces voy a ir al cine"

or

"Yo comeré, entonces iré al cine."
It is like I explain to my students, both language.

"Will" is more direct, whereas "going to" seems to go the long way.

Although, I think pretty much the same as you, I think both forms are equally good, other than the perception that "will" is more direct and forceful.

Both forms in both languages convey exactly the same thing.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old June 22, 2010, 04:01 PM
hermit hermit is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: scotsburn, nova scotia
Posts: 617
Native Language: english
hermit is on a distinguished road
Just right...
__________________
"Be brief, for no discourse can please when too long."
miguel de cervantes saavedra
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old June 22, 2010, 07:05 PM
AngelicaDeAlquezar's Avatar
AngelicaDeAlquezar AngelicaDeAlquezar is offline
Obsidiana
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Mexico City
Posts: 9,038
Native Language: Mexican Spanish
AngelicaDeAlquezar is on a distinguished road
I don't see any difference between "voy a" and the verb conjugated in future tense.
In Mexico, people tend to use more colloquially "voy a" but both are equally valid and both mean the same.
__________________
Ain't it wonderful to be alive when the Rock'n'Roll plays...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old June 22, 2010, 07:12 PM
wafflestomp wafflestomp is offline
Pearl
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Long Island, New York
Posts: 350
Native Language: American English
wafflestomp is on a distinguished road
From my understanding it's pretty much the same usage in English and Spanish.

What sounds more natural in English? We are going to go to the movie theater or We will go to the movie theater? Obviously the first.... Vamos a ir al cine, from what I have understood, sounds more natural and normal than "Iremos al cine" but then something like this "We are going to find your parents" and "We will find your parents" the latter sounds better. In Spanish, it would be "Vamos a encontrar a tus padres" and "Encontraremos a tus padres".. from what I have read and studied as well as what I've heard from speakers the ir a sounds better in MOST situations but it has it's times where it would sound weird.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old June 22, 2010, 11:32 PM
CrOtALiTo's Avatar
CrOtALiTo CrOtALiTo is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Mérida, Yucatán
Posts: 11,686
Native Language: I can understand Spanish and English
CrOtALiTo is on a distinguished road
Voy a comer.
Iré a comer

Comere.

They are an examples, I can give you as a hint.
__________________
We are building the most important dare for my life and my family feature now we are installing new services in telecoms.
Reply With Quote
Reply

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Future tense to say "I wonder" bricks Grammar 18 March 18, 2010 11:31 PM
"Ya" + future tense laepelba Grammar 29 December 27, 2009 07:43 AM
Which tense follows "si" in present, past, etc. rkeyster Grammar 13 September 29, 2009 11:51 AM
"a" + infinitive verb = confusion ElDanés Grammar 8 September 24, 2008 04:14 PM
The imperfects- and future subjunctives of "dar" ElDanés Grammar 6 September 07, 2008 02:23 AM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:15 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X