72.1.4 Present/imperfect of tener (la) intención de+ infinitive
Tener (la) intención de, ‘to intend to’, is much less common and more formal than the
two expressions above, but like the others it is also used in the present or the imperfect,
depending on whether reference is to the present or to the past.
Tengo (la) intención de cambiarme de trabajo.
I intend to change jobs.
Tienen (la) intención de casarse.
They intend to get married.
Tenían (la) intención de hacerlo.
They intended to do it.
Teníamos (la) intención de vernos otra vez.
We intended to see each other again.72.1.5 The future
The future is rarely used in informal spoken language with reference to plans or
intentions, except when these involve a promise (see 72.4 below). In writing, however,
this is used frequently, in both formal and informal registers. 17.5 (p. 76)
Ricardo: Pasaré por ti sobre las 6.00. Te Ilamaré antes de salir de casa.
Alfonso.
Ricardo: I’ll pick you up about 6.00. I’ll call you before I leave home.
Alfonso.
El presidente intentará poner fin a la crisis.
The president will try to put an end to the crisis.72.1.6 Other ways of expressing plans and intentions
Plans and intentions can also be expressed by using the following phrases, all equally
common, especially in the spoken language.
tener pensado/previsto/planeado‘to be planning’, ‘to intend’
proponerse‘to propose’
estar decidido(a)/resuelto(a) a‘to be determined/resolved’
Tengo pensado/previsto/planeado ir a Turquía.
I’m planning to go to Turkey.
Nos proponemos salir al amanecer.
We propose to leave at dawn.
Está decidido/resuelto a hacerlo.
He’s determined/resolved to do it.TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE 72.1