Level 2 — Elementary (CEFR: A2)
Unit 7 — Verb Group 3: -IR Verbs
Lesson 13 — Simple Future of -IR Verbs
Lesson Overview
Level: 2 — Elementary Unit: 7 — Verb Group 3: -IR Verbs Lesson: 13 of 14 Estimated Time: 60 minutes
What this lesson covers:
- Simple future endings applied to -IR verbs (identical to -AR and -ER)
- Regular -IR simple future: full infinitive + endings
- Irregular simple future stems: venir→vendr-, decir→dir-, salir→saldr-
- Ministry sentences using irregular future stems
- The theological weight of the simple future in preaching and prophecy
Simple Future Endings: Identical for All Verb Groups
The simple future endings are the same for -AR, -ER, and -IR verbs:
| Pronoun | Ending |
|---|---|
| yo | -é |
| tú | -ás |
| él/ella/usted | -á |
| nosotros | -emos |
| ellos/ustedes | -án |
For regular -IR verbs, the full infinitive serves as the stem:
vivir → viviré — vivirás — vivirá — viviremos — vivirán recibir → recibiré — recibirás — recibirá — recibiremos — recibirán seguir → seguiré — seguirás — seguirá — seguiremos — seguirán servir → serviré — servirás — servirá — serviremos — servirán cumplir → cumpliré — cumplirás — cumplirá — cumpliremos — cumplirán compartir → compartiré — compartirás — compartirá — compartiremos — compartirán
Irregular Simple Future Stems: Three -IR Verbs
Three key -IR verbs modify their stem in the simple future:
| Verb | Infinitive | Future stem | Yo form |
|---|---|---|---|
| venir | venir | vendr- | vendré |
| decir | decir | dir- | diré |
| salir | salir | saldr- | saldré |
Pattern recognition:
- venir → vendr-: inserts d after the stem, same type as tener → tendr-
- salir → saldr-: inserts d after the stem, same type as poner → pondr-
- decir → dir-: radical compression — the entire infinitive becomes dir-
Full Conjugations: Three Irregular Future Stems
venir → vendr-
vendré — vendrás — vendrá — vendremos — vendrán
Cristo vendrá en gloria — esa es nuestra esperanza. — Christ will come in glory — that is our hope. ¿Vendrá el equipo de misiones este verano? — Will the mission team come this summer? Vendremos cuando Dios nos abra la puerta. — We will come when God opens the door for us. El Señor vendrá y traerá la recompensa de cada siervo fiel. — The Lord will come and bring the reward of every faithful servant. Vendrán personas de todos los pueblos a adorar al Rey. — People from all peoples will come to worship the King.
decir → dir-
diré — dirás — dirá — diremos — dirán
El Señor dirá: “Bien hecho, siervo bueno y fiel.” — The Lord will say: “Well done, good and faithful servant.” La Escritura dirá siempre la verdad, aunque el mundo cambie. — Scripture will always tell the truth, even as the world changes. Diré lo que Dios me dé para decir. — I will say what God gives me to say. Diremos la verdad en amor, sin miedo. — We will speak the truth in love, without fear. ¿Qué dirán de nosotros las generaciones futuras? — What will future generations say about us?
The declaration El Señor dirá appears constantly in preaching about the judgment seat and eternal reward. It must be automatic.
salir → saldr-
saldré — saldrás — saldrá — saldremos — saldrán
Saldré a servir donde Dios me llame. — I will go out to serve where God calls me. El misionero saldrá en fe aunque no sepa adónde va. — The missionary will go out in faith even though he doesn’t know where he is going. Saldremos de esta prueba más fuertes que antes. — We will come out of this trial stronger than before. Saldrán con la Palabra de Dios y regresarán con fruto. — They will go out with God’s Word and return with fruit.
Regular -IR Simple Future: Ministry Sentences
vivir: Viviré para la gloria de Dios mientras tenga aliento. — I will live for the glory of God as long as I have breath. Los que creen en Cristo vivirán eternamente con Él. — Those who believe in Christ will live eternally with Him. Viviremos de acuerdo con la verdad que predicamos. — We will live according to the truth we preach.
seguir: Seguiré al Señor aunque el camino sea oscuro. — I will follow the Lord even if the path is dark. La iglesia seguirá proclamando el evangelio hasta que Cristo regrese. — The church will continue proclaiming the gospel until Christ returns. ¿Seguirás a Dios aunque te cueste todo? — Will you follow God even if it costs you everything?
servir: Serviré al Señor en esta comunidad con todo lo que tengo. — I will serve the Lord in this community with all that I have. Serviremos a las generaciones futuras con integridad. — We will serve future generations with integrity.
cumplir: Dios cumplirá cada promesa que ha hecho. — God will fulfill every promise He has made. Cumpliré el llamado que Dios puso en mi corazón. — I will fulfill the calling God placed in my heart. Sus propósitos se cumplirán — ninguna fuerza puede detenerlos. — His purposes will be fulfilled — no force can stop them.
recibir: Recibiremos una corona de vida si permanecemos fieles. — We will receive a crown of life if we remain faithful. Los que sufren con Cristo recibirán la gloria eterna. — Those who suffer with Christ will receive eternal glory.
Near Future vs. Simple Future: -IR Verb Examples
| Context | Near future | Simple future |
|---|---|---|
| Imminent plan | Voy a seguir a Cristo. | — |
| Solemn covenant | — | Seguiré a Cristo hasta el final. |
| Mission announcement | Vamos a servir en esa comunidad. | — |
| Theological declaration | — | Dios cumplirá sus promesas. |
| Pastoral invitation | ¿Vas a decidir hoy? | — |
| Prophetic proclamation | — | Cristo vendrá en gloria. |
The simple future carries a heightened register — covenant, prophecy, promise. In preaching it signals the most decisive and authoritative statements. When the interpreter hears it, the English rendering should match that weight.
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1 — Irregular Future Stem Production
Without looking, produce the simple future yo form of each irregular -IR verb:
venir, decir, salir
Answers: vendré, diré, saldré
Exercise 2 — Ministry Sentence Production
Produce one ministry sentence in the simple future for each irregular -IR verb. Use different pronouns across the three sentences.
Exercise 3 — Theological Declaration Drill
These statements appear in preaching in the simple future. Memorize and produce:
- Cristo vendrá en gloria. — Christ will come in glory.
- El Señor dirá: “Bien hecho.” — The Lord will say: “Well done.”
- Saldré en el nombre del Señor. — I will go out in the name of the Lord.
- Viviremos eternamente con Cristo. — We will live eternally with Christ.
- Dios cumplirá cada promesa. — God will fulfill every promise.
- Seguiremos al Cordero dondequiera que vaya. — We will follow the Lamb wherever He goes.
Exercise 4 — Regular -IR Simple Future
Conjugate seguir and vivir in all five Latin American simple future forms. Produce one ministry sentence per form.
Key Takeaways for This Lesson
Before moving to Lesson 14:
- Regular -IR simple future: full infinitive + endings (seguiré, viviré)
- Know the three irregular future stems: vendr- (venir), dir- (decir), saldr- (salir)
- Know the key theological simple future declarations: Cristo vendrá, el Señor dirá, Dios cumplirá
- Simple future carries a higher register than near future — covenant, prophecy, and promise
Daily Practice
The three irregular future stems as a daily incantation:
vendré — diré — saldré
One sentence each, daily: Cristo vendrá en gloria. Diré la verdad sin vergüenza. Saldré adonde Dios me envíe.
These three forms represent all of -IR irregular future space. When they are automatic, all -IR future forms are in reach.