Italian Reference Grammar - Verbs

How do you form the immediate future in Italian?

To form the immediate future, use the appropriate form of the verb 'stare per'; then add the infinitive of the verb which describes what you're going to do.

Here are examples using 'stare per guardare' - 'to be going to watch'.

Points to note

• In this construction, the infinitive of the verb accompanying 'stare per' never changes.
• The present tense can be used to express futurity if it is accompanied by an appropriate adverb or adverbial expression. If, for example, you are travelling by train, it is 5 pm, and you say '(Noi) arriviamo alle sei', you are expressing futurity, though strictly speaking you are using the present tense.

The simple future tense

If you do wish to use the future tense of the verb, you can use the simple future tense.

This describes when something will be done or will happen at some indeterminate point in the future.

For example:

'(Io) guarderò la televisione.' - 'I will watch television.'

How do you form the simple future tense in Italian?

To form the future tense:

1. Take the infinitive.
2. Remove the ending: '-are', '-ere' or '-ire'.
3. Add the first, second and third person endings, singular and plural.

The endings to add are as follows.

Examples of verbs in the simple future

guardare: to watch

temere: to fear

capire: to understand

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