Mastering the Spanish Future Subjunctive: A Comprehensive Guide
The Spanish future subjunctive, though rarely used in modern spoken Spanish, remains an important aspect of formal writing and legal contexts. Understanding this tense unlocks a deeper appreciation of Spanish grammar and allows for the interpretation of older texts and specific legal documents. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the future subjunctive, its forms, uses, and nuances. This article is designed for intermediate to advanced Spanish learners, linguists, and anyone interested in the intricacies of Spanish grammar.
Whether you’re deciphering historical documents, studying Spanish literature, or simply aiming for a nuanced understanding of the language, mastering the future subjunctive will undoubtedly elevate your Spanish proficiency.
Table of Contents
- Definition of the Spanish Future Subjunctive
- Formation of the Future Subjunctive
- Uses of the Future Subjunctive
- Examples of the Future Subjunctive
- Irregular Verbs in the Future Subjunctive
- Usage Rules and Considerations
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of the Spanish Future Subjunctive
The Spanish future subjunctive (futuro de subjuntivo) is a verbal tense that expresses hypothetical or uncertain actions in the future, typically within subordinate clauses. It’s considered a non-past subjunctive tense, indicating an action that has not yet occurred at the time of speaking or writing. While largely absent from everyday conversation, it maintains relevance in formal writing, legal documents, and certain literary contexts. Its function is to express uncertainty, possibility, or conditionality concerning a future action.
The future subjunctive is almost exclusively found in subordinate clauses, usually introduced by conjunctions such as si (if), cuando (when), donde (where), mientras (while), a menos que (unless), antes de que (before), and después de que (after). It adds a layer of formality and precision, particularly in situations where the speaker wants to emphasize the hypothetical or conditional nature of the future event. Understanding this tense provides a deeper comprehension of Spanish grammar and its historical evolution.
In essence, the future subjunctive paints a picture of a future action viewed through the lens of uncertainty or conditionality. It is a testament to the richness and complexity of the Spanish language, showcasing its capacity to express subtle nuances of meaning.
Formation of the Future Subjunctive
The future subjunctive is formed from the third-person plural of the preterite indicative (ellos/ellas/ustedes form) by dropping the ‘-ron’ ending and adding the following endings:
- -are
- -ares
- -are
- -áremos
- -areis
- -aren
Here’s a breakdown of the formation process with examples:
1. Find the third-person plural preterite indicative form: For example, for the verb hablar (to speak), the third-person plural preterite is hablaron.
2. Drop the ‘-ron’ ending: Remove ‘-ron’ from hablaron, leaving habla-.
3. Add the future subjunctive endings: Combine habla- with the endings to form the future subjunctive conjugations.
The following table illustrates the conjugation of regular verbs in the future subjunctive:
| Verb | Infinitive | Third-Person Plural Preterite | Future Subjunctive Conjugations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hablar (to speak) | Hablar | Hablaron | Hablare, Hablares, Hablare, Habláremos, Hablareis, Hablaren |
| Comer (to eat) | Comer | Comieron | Comiere, Comieres, Comiere, Comiéremos, Comiereis, Comieren |
| Vivir (to live) | Vivir | Vivieron | Viviere, Vivieres, Viviere, Viviéremos, Viviereis, Vivieren |
As evident from the table, the conjugation pattern remains consistent across different verb types (-ar, -er, and -ir verbs). This predictable formation makes it easier to learn and apply the future subjunctive.
Uses of the Future Subjunctive
While the future subjunctive is rarely used in modern spoken Spanish, it appears in specific contexts, primarily in formal writing, legal documents, and some literary works. Its use adds a level of formality and precision to the language. Here are the main contexts where you might encounter it:
Conditional Clauses
The future subjunctive is often found in conditional clauses introduced by si (if), particularly in legal or very formal contexts. In these cases, it expresses a hypothetical condition in the future.
Example: Si alguien infringiere la ley, será castigado. (If anyone should infringe the law, they will be punished.)
Formal and Legal Contexts
Legal documents and formal writing frequently employ the future subjunctive to express conditions, regulations, or potential future events with a degree of formality and precision. It is used to set out potential outcomes or consequences in a way that leaves no room for ambiguity.
Example: El que cometiere el delito será juzgado. (He who commits the crime will be judged.)
Literary Usage
In older literary works, the future subjunctive may appear more frequently. Authors used it to create a sense of formality, to evoke a specific historical period, or to emphasize the hypothetical nature of events.
Example: Donde fueres, haz lo que vieres. (Wherever you go, do what you see.) This is a common proverb, and the future subjunctive adds a sense of timelessness.
Examples of the Future Subjunctive
To further illustrate the usage of the future subjunctive, here are several examples categorized by context.
Conditional Clause Examples
The future subjunctive in conditional clauses emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the condition. The following table provides various examples:
| Sentence | Translation |
|---|---|
| Si alguien entrare sin permiso, será denunciado. | If anyone enters without permission, they will be reported. |
| Si lloviere mañana, nos quedaremos en casa. | If it should rain tomorrow, we will stay home. |
| Si el acusado probare su inocencia, será liberado. | If the accused proves their innocence, they will be released. |
| Si no viniere a tiempo, perderá su oportunidad. | If he does not come on time, he will lose his opportunity. |
| Si ella obtuviere el puesto, trabajará arduamente. | If she obtains the position, she will work hard. |
| Si usted comprare este producto, recibirá un descuento. | If you buy this product, you will receive a discount. |
| Si ellos cumplieren con los requisitos, serán aceptados. | If they meet the requirements, they will be accepted. |
| Si nosotros supiéremos la verdad, actuaríamos diferente. | If we knew the truth, we would act differently. |
| Si vosotros llegareis tarde, no podréis entrar. | If you arrive late, you will not be able to enter. |
| Si Juan hablare con el gerente, podría resolver el problema. | If Juan speaks with the manager, he might solve the problem. |
| Si María escribiere el libro, será un éxito. | If Maria writes the book, it will be a success. |
| Si Pedro vendiere su casa, se mudará a otro país. | If Pedro sells his house, he will move to another country. |
| Si el equipo ganare el partido, celebrarán con entusiasmo. | If the team wins the game, they will celebrate enthusiastically. |
| Si el profesor explicare la lección, los estudiantes entenderán mejor. | If the professor explains the lesson, the students will understand better. |
| Si la empresa innovare en sus productos, aumentará sus ventas. | If the company innovates in its products, it will increase its sales. |
| Si el gobierno invirtiere en educación, el país progresará. | If the government invests in education, the country will progress. |
| Si la sociedad respetare las leyes, habrá más armonía. | If society respects the laws, there will be more harmony. |
| Si la naturaleza proveyere recursos suficientes, la humanidad prosperará. | If nature provides sufficient resources, humanity will prosper. |
| Si el arte inspirare a las personas, el mundo será mejor. | If art inspires people, the world will be better. |
| Si la ciencia descubriere nuevos avances, mejorará la calidad de vida. | If science discovers new advances, it will improve the quality of life. |
Legal and Formal Examples
In legal and formal contexts, the future subjunctive ensures precision and eliminates ambiguity. Here are some examples:
| Sentence | Translation |
|---|---|
| El que hurtare será castigado con la pena correspondiente. | He who steals will be punished with the corresponding penalty. |
| Quien falsificare documentos oficiales será procesado. | Whoever falsifies official documents will be prosecuted. |
| El que defraudare a la Hacienda Pública deberá pagar una multa. | He who defrauds the Public Treasury must pay a fine. |
| Quien incumpliere el contrato deberá indemnizar a la otra parte. | Whoever breaches the contract must compensate the other party. |
| El que revelare secretos de la empresa será despedido. | He who reveals company secrets will be fired. |
| Quien no pagare sus impuestos será sancionado. | Whoever does not pay their taxes will be sanctioned. |
| El que condujere bajo los efectos del alcohol será multado. | He who drives under the influence of alcohol will be fined. |
| Quien no respetare las normas de convivencia será expulsado. | Whoever does not respect the rules of coexistence will be expelled. |
| El que contaminare el medio ambiente será penalizado. | He who pollutes the environment will be penalized. |
| Quien no cumpliere con sus obligaciones será demandado. | Whoever does not fulfill their obligations will be sued. |
| El que difamare a otra persona será denunciado. | He who defames another person will be reported. |
| Quien no siguere las instrucciones será responsable de los daños. | Whoever does not follow the instructions will be responsible for the damages. |
| El que perturbare el orden público será arrestado. | He who disturbs public order will be arrested. |
| Quien no protegiere la información confidencial será sancionado. | Whoever does not protect confidential information will be sanctioned. |
| El que no atendiere a las indicaciones será responsable de las consecuencias. | He who does not heed the indications will be responsible for the consequences. |
| Quien no respetare la propiedad ajena será castigado. | Whoever does not respect the property of others will be punished. |
| El que no cumpliere con las normas de seguridad será multado. | He who does not comply with the safety regulations will be fined. |
| Quien no colaborare con la justicia será penalizado. | Whoever does not cooperate with justice will be penalized. |
| El que no informare sobre los riesgos será responsable de los daños. | He who does not inform about the risks will be responsible for the damages. |
| Quien no siguere el protocolo será sancionado. | Whoever does not follow the protocol will be sanctioned. |
Literary Examples
Although less common in contemporary literature, the future subjunctive can be found in older texts or when authors aim for a specific stylistic effect. The following table contains literary examples:
| Sentence | Translation |
|---|---|
| Donde estuviere mi corazón, allí estará mi tesoro. | Where my heart may be, there will be my treasure. |
| Adonde fueres, haz lo que vieres. | Wherever you go, do what you see. |
| Cuando volviere la primavera, todo florecerá. | When spring returns, everything will bloom. |
| Mientras durmiere el dragón, el reino estará en paz. | While the dragon sleeps, the kingdom will be at peace. |
| Hasta que amanezca y el sol saliere, esperaremos aquí. | Until dawn and the sun rises, we will wait here. |
| Como fuere tu destino, así será tu vida. | As your destiny may be, so will be your life. |
| Según dictare la providencia, así actuaremos. | As providence may dictate, so we will act. |
| Conforme pasare el tiempo, todo se olvidará. | As time passes, everything will be forgotten. |
| En cuanto terminare la tormenta, volveremos a casa. | As soon as the storm ends, we will return home. |
| Después de que terminare el juicio, sabremos la verdad. | After the trial ends, we will know the truth. |
| Antes de que anocheciere, debemos encontrar refugio. | Before night falls, we must find shelter. |
| Cuando cesare la lluvia, saldremos a pasear. | When the rain stops, we will go for a walk. |
| Mientras existiere el amor, habrá esperanza. | While love exists, there will be hope. |
| Hasta que se cumpliere la profecía, el mundo estará en peligro. | Until the prophecy is fulfilled, the world will be in danger. |
| Como dijere el sabio, así será la solución. | As the wise man may say, so will be the solution. |
| Según determinare el destino, así sucederá. | As destiny may determine, so it will happen. |
| Conforme avanzare la tecnología, nuestras vidas cambiarán. | As technology advances, our lives will change. |
| En cuanto llegare la ayuda, estaremos a salvo. | As soon as help arrives, we will be safe. |
| Después de que terminare la guerra, habrá paz. | After the war ends, there will be peace. |
| Antes de que se acabase el mundo, debemos vivir intensamente. | Before the world ends, we must live intensely. |
Irregular Verbs in the Future Subjunctive
Like other tenses, some verbs have irregular forms in the future subjunctive. These irregularities often stem from irregularities in the verb’s stem in the preterite indicative. Here are some common irregular verbs and their future subjunctive conjugations:
| Verb | Infinitive | Third-Person Plural Preterite | Future Subjunctive Conjugations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ser (to be) | Ser | Fueron | Fuere, Fueres, Fuere, Fuéremos, Fuereis, Fueren |
| Estar (to be) | Estar | Estuvieron | Estuviere, Estuvieres, Estuviere, Estuviéremos, Estuviereis, Estuvieren |
| Tener (to have) | Tener | Tuvieron | Tuviere, Tuvieres, Tuviere, Tuviéremos, Tuviereis, Tuvieren |
| Hacer (to do/make) | Hacer | Hicieron | Hiciere, Hicieres, Hiciere, Hiciéremos, Hiciereis, Hicieren |
| Poder (to be able to) | Poder | Pudieron | Pudiere, Pudieres, Pudiere, Pudiéremos, Pudiereis, Pudieren |
| Saber (to know) | Saber | Supieron | Supiere, Supieres, Supiere, Supiéremos, Supiereis, Supieren |
| Venir (to come) | Venir | Vinieron | Viniere, Vinieres, Viniere, Viniéremos, Viniereis, Vinieren |
| Poner (to put) | Poner | Pusieron | Pusiere, Pusieres, Pusiere, Pusiéremos, Pusiereis, Pusieren |
| Querer (to want) | Querer | Quisieron | Quisiere, Quisieres, Quisiere, Quisiéremos, Quisiereis, Quisieren |
| Decir (to say) | Decir | Dijeron | Dijere, Dijeres, Dijere, Dijéremos, Dijereis, Dijeren |
| Traer (to bring) | Traer | Trajeron | Trajere, Trajeres, Trajere, Trajéremos, Trajereis, Trajeren |
It’s crucial to memorize these irregular forms, as they are frequently encountered in formal and legal texts.
Usage Rules and Considerations
The future subjunctive is governed by specific rules that dictate its proper use. Here are some key considerations:
- Subordinate Clauses: The future subjunctive is almost always used in subordinate clauses, typically introduced by conjunctions like si, cuando, donde, mientras, a menos que, antes de que, después de que.
- Formal Contexts: Reserve the future subjunctive for formal writing, legal documents, or literary works where a sense of formality or historical accuracy is desired.
- Hypothetical or Uncertain Actions: Use the future subjunctive to express hypothetical or uncertain actions in the future.
- Avoid in Spoken Spanish: In modern spoken Spanish, the present subjunctive or other tenses are generally used instead of the future subjunctive.
- Sequence of Tenses: When the main clause is in the future or conditional tense, the subordinate clause may use the future subjunctive to express a future event that is contingent upon the condition in the main clause.
Understanding these rules will help you use the future subjunctive correctly and appropriately.
Common Mistakes
Learners often make certain mistakes when using the future subjunctive. Here are some common errors and how to avoid them:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Si alguien entrará sin permiso, será denunciado. | Si alguien entrare sin permiso, será denunciado. | Using the future indicative (entrará) instead of the future subjunctive (entrare) in the conditional clause. |
| Cuando yo voy a tener tiempo, te llamaré. | Cuando yo tuviere tiempo, te llamaré. | Using the present indicative (voy a tener) instead of the future subjunctive (tuviere) after cuando in a formal context. In modern Spanish, the present subjunctive ‘tenga’ is more common. |
| El que roba será castigado. | El que robare será castigado. | Using the present indicative (roba) instead of the future subjunctive (robare) in a legal context to express a general condition. |
| Si él viene, estaremos contentos. | Si él viniere, estaremos contentos. | Using the present subjunctive (viene) instead of the future subjunctive (viniere) in a formal conditional clause. |
By being aware of these common mistakes, you can improve your accuracy when using the future subjunctive.
Practice Exercises
Practice is essential for mastering the future subjunctive. Here are some exercises to help you hone your skills.
Exercise 1: Conjugation Practice
Conjugate the following verbs in the future subjunctive for all six persons (yo, tú, él/ella/usted, nosotros/nosotras, vosotros/vosotras, ellos/ellas/ustedes):
| Verb | Answer |
|---|---|
| Ser | Fuere, fueres, fuere, fuéremos, fuereis, fueren |
| Tener | Tuviere, tuvieres, tuviere, tuviéremos, tuviereis, tuvieren |
| Decir | Dijere, dijeres, dijere, dijéremos, dijereis, dijeren |
| Vivir | Viviere, vivieres, viviere, viviéremos, viviereis, vivieren |
| Hacer | Hiciere, hicieres, hiciere, hiciéremos, hiciereis, hicieren |
| Poder | Pudiere, pudieres, pudiere, pudiéremos, pudiereis, pudieren |
| Saber | Supiere, supieres, supiere, supiéremos, supiereis, supieren |
| Ir | Fuere, fueres, fuere, fuéremos, fuereis, fueren |
| Ver | Viere, vieres, viere, viéremos, viereis, vieren |
| Oír | Oyere, oyeres, oyere, oyéremos, oyereis, oyeren |
Exercise 2: Sentence Completion
Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the future subjunctive of the verb in parentheses:
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| Si él (venir) ________, estaremos felices. | Si él viniere, estaremos felices. |
| El que (robar) ________, será castigado. | El que robare, será castigado. |
| Cuando yo (tener) ________ tiempo, te ayudaré. | Cuando yo tuviere tiempo, te ayudaré. |
| Si nosotros (ser) ________ ricos, viajaríamos por el mundo. | Si nosotros fuéremos ricos, viajaríamos por el mundo. |
| El que (hacer) ________ el trabajo, recibirá una recompensa. | El que hiciere el trabajo, recibirá una recompensa. |
| Si ella (decir) ________ la verdad, la perdonaremos. | Si ella dijere la verdad, la perdonaremos. |
| El que (vivir) ________ en esta casa, deberá respetar las reglas. | El que viviere en esta casa, deberá respetar las reglas. |
| Si vosotros (poder) ________ venir, os esperamos. | Si vosotros pudiereis venir, os esperamos. |
| El que (saber) ________ la respuesta, que levante la mano. | El que supiere la respuesta, que levante la mano. |
| Si ellos (ir) ________ al concierto, se divertirán mucho. | Si ellos fueren al concierto, se divertirán mucho. |
Exercise 3: Translation
Translate the following sentences into Spanish using the future subjunctive:
| English Sentence | Spanish Translation |
|---|---|
| If anyone should enter without permission, they will be prosecuted. | Si alguien entrare sin permiso, será procesado. |
| He who steals will be punished according to the law. | El que robare será castigado según la ley. |
| When I have time, I will call you. | Cuando yo tuviere tiempo, te llamaré. |
| If we were rich, we would travel the world. | Si nosotros fuéremos ricos, viajaríamos por el mundo. |
| He who does the work will receive a reward. | El que hiciere el trabajo, recibirá una recompensa. |
| If she tells the truth, we will forgive her. | Si ella dijere la verdad, la perdonaremos. |
| He who lives in this house must respect the rules. | El que viviere en esta casa, deberá respetar las reglas. |
| If you are able to come, we will be waiting for you. | Si vosotros pudiereis venir, os esperamos. |
| He who knows the answer, raise their hand. | El que supiere la respuesta, que levante la mano. |
| If they go to the concert, they will have a lot of fun. | Si ellos fueren al concierto, se divertirán mucho. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, there are more complex aspects of the future subjunctive to explore.
Future Perfect Subjunctive
The future perfect subjunctive (futuro perfecto de subjuntivo) expresses an action that will have been completed in the future, before another future action. It is even rarer than the simple future subjunctive. It is formed with the future subjunctive of haber (to have) + the past participle.
Example: Si para entonces ya hubieres terminado el trabajo, podremos irnos de vacaciones. (If by then you have already finished the work, we can go on vacation.)
Historical Context
Understanding the historical context of the future subjunctive can provide insight into its decline in usage. Historically, it was more common, but its usage has diminished over time as the Spanish language has evolved. Studying older texts and grammatical treatises can offer a deeper understanding of its historical role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Spanish future subjunctive:
- Why is the future subjunctive rarely used in modern Spanish?
The future subjunctive has largely been replaced by the present subjunctive or other tenses in modern spoken Spanish. Its use is now mainly confined to formal writing and legal documents.
- Is it necessary to learn the future subjunctive?
While not essential for basic communication, understanding the future subjunctive is important for comprehending formal texts, legal documents, and older literature. It also provides a deeper understanding of Spanish grammar.
- How does the future subjunctive differ from the present subjunctive?
The present subjunctive expresses current or general hypothetical situations, while the future subjunctive refers specifically to future hypothetical situations. However, in modern Spanish, the present subjunctive often replaces the future subjunctive.
- Can I use the present subjunctive instead of the future subjunctive?
In most cases, yes. In modern spoken Spanish, the present subjunctive is often used in place of the future subjunctive without significantly altering the meaning.
- What are the key conjunctions that trigger the future subjunctive?
The main conjunctions are si (if), cuando (when), donde (where), mientras (while), a menos que (unless), antes de que (before), and después de que (after), particularly in formal contexts.
- How can I practice the future subjunctive?
Practice conjugating verbs, completing sentences, and translating texts that use the future subjunctive. Focus on formal writing and legal examples.
- What is the future perfect subjunctive, and how is it used?
The future perfect subjunctive expresses an action that will have been completed in the future before another future action. It’s formed with the future subjunctive of haber + the past participle and is very rare.
- Are there any regional variations in the use of the future subjunctive?
The future subjunctive is generally consistent across different Spanish-speaking regions, although its overall usage is limited to formal contexts in all regions.
Conclusion
The Spanish future subjunctive, while not a staple of everyday conversation, is a crucial element for understanding formal Spanish, legal texts, and classical literature. Mastering its formation and usage rules will significantly enhance your comprehension of the language’s nuances. Although its active use is limited, recognizing it in written form is an invaluable skill for any serious Spanish learner.
By focusing on the contexts where it appears and practicing its conjugation, you can confidently navigate the complexities of the future subjunctive. Remember to review the irregular verbs and common mistakes to refine your accuracy. With consistent effort, you’ll be well-equipped to understand and appreciate this unique aspect of Spanish grammar.
