In summary
The Italian future allows us to express actions that will take place in the future. This conjugation follows precise rules according to the verbal group and presents some particularities to master in order to construct correct sentences.
- Future formation: For regular verbs, we use the infinitive + specific endings (-ò, -ai, -à, -emo, -ete, -anno)
- Three groups: Verbs ending in -are, -ere and -ire follow similar rules with slight variations
- Irregular verbs: Certain verbs like essere, avere, andare have modified stems in the future
- Temporal usage: The future expresses upcoming actions, suppositions or probabilities
Regular verbs of the first group ending in -are
The future conjugation for verbs ending in -are follows a regular pattern. We keep the complete infinitive and add the future endings. However, a particularity appears: the -a- of the -are ending transforms into -e- before the future desinences. Parlare (to speak) becomes parler-:| Person | Conjugation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| (Io) | parlerò | I will speak |
| (Tu) | parlerai | you will speak |
| (Lui/Lei) | parlerà | he/she will speak |
| (Noi) | parleremo | we will speak |
| (Voi) | parlerete | you will speak |
| (Loro) | parleranno | they will speak |
Regular verbs of the second group ending in -ere
Second group verbs keep their complete infinitive and add the future endings directly, without modifying the thematic vowel. Credere (to believe):| Person | Conjugation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| (Io) | crederò | I will believe |
| (Tu) | crederai | you will believe |
| (Lui/Lei) | crederà | he/she will believe |
| (Noi) | crederemo | we will believe |
| (Voi) | crederete | you will believe |
| (Loro) | crederanno | they will believe |
Regular verbs of the third group ending in -ire
As with the second group, verbs ending in -ire keep their infinitive intact and receive the future endings without change. Finire (to finish):| Person | Conjugation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| (Io) | finirò | I will finish |
| (Tu) | finirai | you will finish |
| (Lui/Lei) | finirà | he/she will finish |
| (Noi) | finiremo | we will finish |
| (Voi) | finirete | you will finish |
| (Loro) | finiranno | they will finish |
Auxiliary verbs in the future
The auxiliary essere (to be)
The verb essere presents a completely irregular stem in the future: sar-.| Person | Conjugation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| (Io) | sarò | I will be |
| (Tu) | sarai | you will be |
| (Lui/Lei) | sarà | he/she will be |
| (Noi) | saremo | we will be |
| (Voi) | sarete | you will be |
| (Loro) | saranno | they will be |
The auxiliary avere (to have)
The verb avere also follows an irregular pattern with the stem avr-.| Person | Conjugation | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| (Io) | avrò | I will have |
| (Tu) | avrai | you will have |
| (Lui/Lei) | avrà | he/she will have |
| (Noi) | avremo | we will have |
| (Voi) | avrete | you will have |
| (Loro) | avranno | they will have |
The most common irregular verbs
Several frequently used verbs present irregular forms in the future. They modify their stem but keep the same endings.Andare (to go)
Stem: andr- Andrò a scuola domani. (I will go to school tomorrow.)Fare (to do/make)
Stem: far- Faranno una festa sabato. (They will have a party on Saturday.)Dare (to give)
Stem: dar- Ti darò il libro domani. (I will give you the book tomorrow.)Stare (to be/stay)
Stem: star- Staremo a casa tutto il weekend. (We will stay at home all weekend.)Dovere (must/to have to)
Stem: dovr- Dovrai studiare di più. (You will have to study more.)Potere (can/to be able to)
Stem: potr- Potremo partire presto. (We will be able to leave early.)Sapere (to know)
Stem: sapr- Sapranno la verità presto. (They will know the truth soon.)Volere (to want)
Stem: vorr- Vorrà venire con noi. (He will want to come with us.)Venire (to come)
Stem: verr- Verremo a trovarti presto. (We will come to see you soon.)Rimanere (to remain/stay)
Stem: rimarr- Rimarrete qui per sempre? (Will you stay here forever?)Tenere (to hold/keep)
Stem: terr- Terrò questo segreto. (I will keep this secret.)Bere (to drink)
Stem: berr- Berranno vino a cena. (They will drink wine at dinner.)Uses of the Italian future
The Italian future is used in several specific contexts that enrich its usage beyond simple temporal expression.Future actions
The main usage expresses upcoming events: La settimana prossima andremo al mare. Next week we will go to the seaside.Suppositions and probabilities
The future can express a supposition about the present: Sarà già arrivato. (He will have already arrived / He has probably already arrived.) Che ore saranno? (What time can it be?)Promises and commitments
It marks a firm commitment: Ti aiuterò sempre. (I will always help you.) Non dimenticheremo mai questo momento. (We will never forget this moment.)Practical exercise
Test your knowledge of the Italian future:
Question 1: How do you conjugate “parlare” in the first person singular?
Verbs ending in -are transform the “a” into “e” before future endings: parlerò.
Question 2: What is the future of “essere” in the third person plural?
The verb essere has an irregular stem “sar-” in the future: saranno.
Question 3: How do you say “we will be able to” in Italian?
Potere becomes “potr-” in the future + ending -emo: potremo.
Question 4: Which sentence expresses a supposition?
The future can express a probability about the present: “He will have already left” (he has probably already left).
Question 5: Conjugate “finire” in the second person plural:
Verbs ending in -ire keep the complete infinitive + endings: finirete.
Question 6: What is the stem of “venire” in the future?
Venire becomes “verr-” in the future: verrò, verrai, verrà…