We use El Presente in order to refer to a future action. Read and listen to these examples:
Notice how in all the examples there is an indication of a future event with different time phrases: "el mes que viene", "mañana", "el año que viene", "la semana próxima."
If there is no time phrase indicating the future, the sentence can only refer to a present event (However, if the future context has already been discussed and is understood by the speakers, there is no need to make it explicit in the sentence.)
Generally:
"Salgo con mi novio" (no time phrase, present)
(I go out with my boyfriend.)
"Después salgo con mi novio." (después indicates a future event)
(I am going out/I am going to go out with my boyfriend later.)
Want to make sure your Spanish sounds confident? We’ll map your knowledge and give you free lessons to focus on your gaps and mistakes. Start your Brainmap today »
