Probably: The Future for Guesses
The future form can also mean probably or must be about the present: Etxean egongo da (He is probably at home). Nekatuta egongo zara (You must be tired).
How It Works
Guessing about now. The future -ko/-go with a present auxiliary can describe the present as a guess:
- Etxean egongo da. (He is probably at home.)
- Berrogei urte inguru izango ditu. (She must be about forty.)
- Zuk horrela badiozu, egia izango da. (If you say so, it must be true.)
This is most common with states: egon, izan and having (izango ditu). Words like seguru asko (probably) or agian (maybe) can be added, but the future form alone already shows it is a guess.
Prediction or guess? Context decides. Bihar etxean egongo da is about tomorrow, so it is a prediction. Ez du telefonoa hartzen; lo egongo da is about now, so it is a guess.
Guessing about the past. Use the same -ko form with a past auxiliary, the future in the past: Orduan hogei urte izango zituen (He must have been twenty then). Honezkero etorriko zen means he must have arrived by now. To guess about something that has just happened, the future perfect also works: Etorri da is a statement, while Etorri izango da means he must have come.
Not the conditional. The conditional forms (litzateke, luke) mean would, under a condition. For a simple guess, use the future.
Examples (6)
- Etxean egongo da.
He is probably at home.
- Nekatuta egongo zara.
You must be tired.
- Berrogei urte inguru izango ditu.
She must be about forty.
- Zuk horrela badiozu, egia izango da.
If you say so, it must be true.
- Ez du telefonoa hartzen; lo egongo da.
She is not answering the phone; she must be asleep.
- Orduan hogei urte izango zituen.
He must have been twenty then.
A past auxiliary moves the guess into the past.
Common Mistakes
Using the conditional for a guess.
Etxean egongo litzateke.Etxean egongo da.litzateke means would be, under some condition. A plain guess about the present uses the future with a present auxiliary: egongo da.
Using a present auxiliary for a guess about the past.
Gerra hasi zenean, hogei urte izango ditu.Gerra hasi zenean, hogei urte izango zituen.Gerra hasi zenean (when the war started) points to the past, so the guess needs a past auxiliary: izango zituen.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Probability follows the future.
Related Patterns
- agian / beharbada / seguru askoMaybe and Probably
Words that can go with a guess.
Level 3 - etorriko zenWould: The Future in the Past
The -ko form with a past auxiliary, which also makes guesses about the past.
Level 4 - etorria izango daWill Have Done
Guesses about something that has already happened.
Level 5 - omenReportedly: Omen
Another way to show you are not certain: you heard it from others.
Level 4 - -ta / -rikDescribing States: Nekatuta Nago
The -ta states that often appear in guesses: nekatuta egongo zara.
Level 2
Practice Probably: The Future for Guesses in Bubblegum
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