Expressing probabilities

William C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Expressing probabilities

 I noticed that " me pregunto cuándo van a llegar" was one of the options in this exercise.  Could I have used "van a llegar' instead of "llegaràn" to express probability

Asked 5 years ago
InmaNative Spanish expert teacher in Kwiziq

Hola William

You could use "van a llegar" here, but the reason why is because the beginning of the sentence is actually the part that is already conveying the "probability/conjecture" -> "Me pregunto...".

Maybe it is not a good idea to include that option within the possible answers.

For other sentences you would have to use the simple future "llegarán" to express the probability/conjecture about the future. For example:

Estoy muy ocupada así que llegaré sobre las doce o doce y media.

I am very busy so I might arrive at about twelve or twelve thirty.

If you were to use "voy a llegar" here, it would sound very definite, as if you knew for sure you are going to arrive at that time.

Hope this clarifies it.

Saludos

Inma

William C.C1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Yes, it does. Thank you

Stephanie S.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

 I was wondering about this, too. So el futuro simple implies doubt, and "ir a ..." implies certainty?

William C. asked:

Expressing probabilities

 I noticed that " me pregunto cuándo van a llegar" was one of the options in this exercise.  Could I have used "van a llegar' instead of "llegaràn" to express probability

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