Introduction
One of the most challenging aspects of learning Spanish is understanding the different ways to express future actions. Two common constructions that confuse English speakers are lo haré and voy a hacerlo. While both phrases translate to I will do it in English, they are not always interchangeable, and using them incorrectly can make your Spanish sound unnatural or unclear. This article explores the key differences between these two expressions, explains when to use each one, and highlights the most common mistakes learners make when choosing between them.
Understanding the Two Future Constructions
What is Lo Haré?
The expression lo haré uses the simple future tense in Spanish. This form is created by taking the infinitive verb and adding specific endings that depend on the subject pronoun. For the first-person singular (I), the ending is -é, making it haré (I will do). The lo at the beginning is a direct object pronoun that means it.
The simple future tense has been used in Spanish for centuries and remains the formal, written, and more emphatic way to express future actions. When you say lo haré, you are making a definitive statement about something you will do.
Example 1:
Lo haré mañana – I will do it tomorrow (stated as a definite fact)
Example 2:
Te lo haré saber – I will let you know (a formal promise)
What is Voy a Hacerlo?
The construction voy a hacerlo is called the periphrastic future or the near future tense. It consists of three parts: the present tense of the verb ir (to go), which is voy (I go), followed by the preposition a (to), and finally the infinitive form of the main verb. In this case, hacerlo means to do it.
This structure is more commonly used in spoken Spanish and is more common in Latin America than in Spain. It conveys a sense of immediacy and is often used for actions that are about to happen or planned in the near future.
Example 1:
Voy a hacerlo ahora – I am going to do it now (immediate future)
Example 2:
Voy a hacerlo este fin de semana – I am going to do it this weekend (planned action)
Key Differences Between Lo Haré and Voy a Hacerlo
Formality and Register
The simple future lo haré is generally more formal than voy a hacerlo. You will encounter lo haré frequently in written Spanish, formal letters, academic texts, news reports, and official communications. Teachers, businesspeople, and professionals often use this form when making formal commitments.
On the other hand, voy a hacerlo is much more prevalent in casual conversation and informal written communication like text messages and social media. Native speakers unconsciously choose this form in everyday speech because it feels more natural and less rigid.
Immediacy and Time Frame
The voy a hacerlo construction emphasizes actions that will happen soon or in the immediate future. It conveys a stronger sense of imminence and planning. When someone says voy a hacerlo, listeners understand that the action is likely to occur very shortly or is definitely planned.
Conversely, lo haré is more neutral regarding timing. It can refer to actions happening tomorrow, next week, next year, or at an unspecified future time. The simple future does not necessarily imply any specific closeness to the present moment.
Example for comparison:
Voy a comer en cinco minutos – I am going to eat in five minutes (very soon)
Lo comeré el próximo mes – I will eat it next month (distant future)
Certainty and Commitment
The simple future lo haré often sounds more definitive and committed. When you make a statement using this form, you are making a firm promise or declaration about what will happen. It leaves less room for doubt or change of plans.
The structure voy a hacerlo feels slightly more flexible and contingent. While it still indicates intention, it carries an implicit understanding that plans might change. This form is frequently used when discussing plans that depend on circumstances or when you are less certain about the outcome.
Common Mistakes English Speakers Make
Using Lo Haré in Casual Conversation
One frequent error among English learners is overusing lo haré in everyday conversation. Because English relies heavily on will to express future actions, and because many textbooks introduce the Spanish simple future early on, students tend to default to lo haré even in informal settings.
Mistake:
¿Qué vas a hacer esta noche? Lo haré una película – What are you going to do tonight? I will watch a movie. (Awkward and unnatural)
Better:
¿Qué vas a hacer esta noche? Voy a ver una película – What are you going to do tonight? I am going to watch a movie. (Natural and appropriate)
Native speakers would rarely respond to this casual question with the simple future. Using lo haré would sound overly formal and strange in this context, making the speaker sound robotic or pretentious.
Confusing Lo Haré with Yo Haré
Another common mistake is misunderstanding the role of lo in lo haré. Some learners incorrectly think that lo haré can replace a simple statement like I will do it without an object. They sometimes try to use lo haré as a standalone expression to mean I will do it, when they should use lo haré specifically when referring to a previously mentioned noun or object.
Mistake:
¿Puedes ayudarme? Lo haré – Can you help me? I will do it. (Incorrect pronoun usage)
Better:
¿Puedes ayudarme? Lo haré is correct only if something specific has been mentioned. Otherwise:
¿Puedes ayudarme? Claro que sí – Can you help me? Of course. (Appropriate response)
Or if referring to a specific task mentioned earlier:
¿Vas a terminar el proyecto? Lo haré mañana – Will you finish the project? I will do it tomorrow.
Ignoring Regional Preferences
Learners sometimes fail to recognize that regional preferences exist for these two constructions. In Spain, both forms are used, but voy a hacerlo is extremely common in speech. In Latin America, voy a hacerlo is even more dominant, and some regions rarely use the simple future in casual conversation at all.
A learner who exclusively uses lo haré in conversation with Spanish speakers from Latin America may sound overly formal or disconnected from natural speech patterns. Conversely, someone who never uses the simple future may struggle to write formally or communicate in professional settings.
Misunderstanding Negative Statements
When negating future actions, learners sometimes struggle with the syntax. The negative form no lo haré means I will not do it, while no voy a hacerlo means I am not going to do it. Both are grammatically correct, but the same rules about formality and immediacy apply.
Mistake:
¿Me ayudarás? No, no lo haré – Will you help me? No, I will not do it. (Overly formal and somewhat harsh in tone)
Better in casual conversation:
¿Me ayudarás? No, no voy a hacerlo – Will you help me? No, I am not going to do it. (More natural and appropriate)
When to Use Each Form
Use Lo Haré When:
You are writing formally or professionally. This includes business emails, official letters, academic papers, and formal speeches. The simple future demonstrates professionalism and confidence.
You are making a solemn promise or commitment. In serious situations where you want to emphasize that you will definitely do something, lo haré is more appropriate.
You are describing distant future plans. If the action is not happening soon, lo haré works well without needing to specify a time frame.
You are speaking in a formal register. Legal documents, official announcements, and formal contexts call for lo haré rather than voy a hacerlo.
Use Voy a Hacerlo When:
You are having a casual conversation. In everyday speech, voy a hacerlo is the default choice for expressing future actions.
The action will happen very soon. When something is about to happen or planned for the immediate future, voy a hacerlo is the natural choice.
You are communicating plans and intentions. Discussing what you plan to do this weekend, this evening, or later today calls for voy a hacerlo.
You are speaking in Latin America. If your audience is from Latin American Spanish-speaking regions, voy a hacerlo will sound much more natural in most contexts.
Conclusion
Understanding the distinction between lo haré and voy a hacerlo is essential for Spanish learners who want to sound natural and communicate effectively in different contexts. The simple future lo haré serves formal, written, and emphatic purposes, while the periphrastic future voy a hacerlo dominates casual speech and immediate future plans. By avoiding common mistakes such as overusing the simple future in conversation, confusing pronoun usage, and ignoring regional preferences, you will develop more nuanced and authentic Spanish communication skills. Remember that language is not always about strict rules but about understanding how native speakers actually use these constructions in real-world situations. With practice and exposure to native Spanish in various contexts, choosing between these two expressions will become second nature.
