ir + Infinitive

Futuro Próximo Com Ir

Level 2

The ir + infinitivo construction is the most common way to talk about the future in spoken Portuguese. It is formed by conjugating the verb ir in the present tense and adding the main verb in its base (infinitive) form.

How It Works

This pattern, technically known as the Futuro Perifrástico, is the standard for daily conversation. While textbooks sometimes call it the Futuro Próximo (Near Future), native speakers use it for any future event they feel certain about, regardless of time.

How to form it:

  • Step 1: Conjugate ir to match the subject.
  • Step 2: Add the main verb in the infinitive (falar, comer, partir).

Usage Notes:

  • Subject Pronouns: In Brazil, a gente is frequently used instead of 'nós' (e.g., A gente vai comer). In Portugal, speakers often drop the subject pronoun entirely because the forms of ir are distinct enough to identify the person.
  • Prepositions: Unlike some other verb combinations, ir + infinitive never uses a preposition like 'a' or 'de' in standard Portuguese. Saying 'vou a fazer' is incorrect.
  • Imminence: To express being 'just about to' do something, use estar prestes a or 'estar para'.

Regional Differences:
In Brazil, this has almost entirely replaced the synthetic future (falarei), which now sounds very formal. In Portugal, it is also the dominant spoken form, though the synthetic future remains more common in writing and formal speech than in Brazil.

Examples (5)

  1. Eu vou estudar para a prova amanhã.

    I am going to study for the test tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I go to-study for the test tomorrow.

    A classic example of a planned action in the near future.

  2. Nós vamos viajar nas férias de julho.

    We are going to travel during the July holidays.

    Word by Word: We go to-travel in-the holidays of July.

    Even for events months away, this construction is used to show a firm plan.

  3. Eles vão chegar tarde por causa do trânsito.

    They are going to arrive late because of the traffic.

    Word by Word: They go to-arrive late by cause of-the traffic.

    Used here to express a certainty based on current circumstances.

  4. Você vai comer agora?

    Are you going to eat now?

    Word by Word: You go to-eat now?

    In questions, it functions exactly like 'Are you going to...' in English.

  5. O que vai acontecer depois?

    What is going to happen afterwards?

    Word by Word: The what go to-happen afterwards?

    Used with 'acontecer' (to happen) to ask about future outcomes.

Common Mistakes

  • Inserting the preposition 'a' between the verbs.

    Eu vou a falar com ele.
    Eu vou falar com ele.

    Spanish speakers often make this mistake. In Portuguese, the future construction requires no preposition between 'ir' and the infinitive.

  • Conjugating both verbs.

    Nós vamos viajamos amanhã.
    Nós vamos viajar amanhã.

    Only the auxiliary verb 'ir' should be conjugated. The main verb must remain in the infinitive.

  • Using the synthetic future in casual conversation.

    Amanhã comerei pizza.
    Amanhã vou comer pizza.

    While 'comerei' is grammatically correct, it sounds overly formal or stiff in a casual setting, especially in Brazil.

Words in This Pattern