11 Uses of tenses
11.1.4.3 Psychological verbs With psychological verbs the preterite indicates an act (such as recognition, learning, understanding) while the imperfect indicates a state of mind. With some verbs, notably saber and conocer, the English translation of the preterite and imperfect may be different:
Después de hablar con él supe hacerlo. After speaking to him I understood how to do it. Sabía cómo hacerlo antes de hablar con él. I knew how to do it before talking to him. Conocí a Susana en la fiesta. I met Susana at the party. Ya conocía a Ana antes de ir a la fiesta. I knew Ana before going to the party. 11.1.5 The future tense For the future tense in conditional sentences, see 13.2.
11.1.5.1 With reference to future time The future tense is used to make predictions or statements about what is expected to happen. It can also be used in promises or undertakings:
Llegarán a las diez.
They will arrive at ten o’clock.
Lo haré mañana.
I’ll do it tomorrow.
Note: The future tense is often replaced both in Spain and Latin America by the present tense of ir + a + infinitive: Van a llegar a las diez ‘They’re going to arrive at ten o’clock’. In Latin America haber + de + infinitive is sometimes used in this way.
11.1.5.2 To conjecture The Spanish future tense is additionally used to suggest possibility or to make guesses and suppositions. In questions this use can express surprise:
Ahora mismo estará Alicia en Málaga. Right now Alicia must be in Malaga. 134
¿Será Paco el que ha hecho esto? Could it be Paco who did this?
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