The simple future can express a conjecture about the present.
The idea
Context makes estará mean “is probably” rather than a future event. Form it from the future stem and endings.
Examples
- Ana estará en casa ahora.Ana is probably at home now.
- Serán las ocho; ya está oscuro.It must be eight; it is already dark.
- Los vecinos tendrán hambre después del viaje.The neighbors are probably hungry after the trip.
- ¿Dónde estará mi paraguas?Where could my umbrella be?
- Marta no contesta; trabajará todavía.Marta is not answering; she is probably still working.
- Ese libro costará unos veinte euros.That book probably costs about twenty euros.
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Watch out
Do not assume every future form refers to later: a present clue can signal uncertainty now.
Try it yourself
Choose the form that expresses a guess about the present. La luz está encendida; Pablo ___ en la oficina. (estará / estará mañana)
Show answer or example answer
estará
Estará suggests Pablo is probably in the office now.
Choose the form that expresses a guess about the present. La mochila pesa mucho; ___ llena de libros. (estará / estuvo)
Show answer or example answer
estará
Estará guesses the bag is full based on its weight.
Choose the form that expresses a guess about the present. No veo a Lucía; ¿dónde ___ ahora? (estará / estará mañana)
Show answer or example answer
estará
Estará asks where Lucía might be at this moment.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Choose the form that expresses a guess about the present. La luz está encendida; Pablo ___ en la oficina. (estará / estará mañana)
Choose the form that expresses a guess about the present. La mochila pesa mucho; ___ llena de libros. (estará / estuvo)
Choose the form that expresses a guess about the present. No veo a Lucía; ¿dónde ___ ahora? (estará / estará mañana)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Guess where someone is and what they are doing now.