ir + a + Infinitive
Near Future
Use the formula conjugated ir + a + infinitive verb to talk about what someone is going to do in the near future.
How It Works
The ir + a + infinitive construction is one of the most common ways to talk about the future in Spanish, especially in conversation. It's very similar to saying "going to" in English.
The structure is always the same:
Subject + Conjugated ir + a + Infinitive Verb
First, you need to know the present tense conjugation of the verb 'ir'. It's highly irregular:
- yo voy (I go)
- tú vas (you go)
- él/ella/usted va (he/she/you go)
- nosotros/as vamos (we go)
- vosotros/as vais (you all go)
- ellos/ellas/ustedes van (they/you all go)
Next, you add the preposition a.
Finally, you add the main action verb in its infinitive form. The infinitive is the basic, unconjugated form of a verb, ending in -ar, -er, or -ir (like hablar, comer, vivir).
Example Breakdown:
Voy a comer. (I am going to eat.)
- Voy:
irconjugated foryo. - a: The required preposition.
- comer: The infinitive verb.
Examples (5)
- Voy a estudiar para el examen.
I am going to study for the exam.
Word by Word: I go to study for the exam.
- ¿Qué vas a hacer esta noche?
What are you going to do tonight?
Word by Word: What you go to do this night?
- Mi hermana va a comprar un coche nuevo.
My sister is going to buy a new car.
Word by Word: My sister goes to buy a car new.
- Nosotros vamos a visitar a nuestros abuelos el domingo.
We are going to visit our grandparents on Sunday.
Word by Word: We go to visit our grandparents the Sunday.
- Ellos van a ver una película en el cine.
They are going to see a movie at the cinema.
Word by Word: They go to see a movie in the cinema.
Common Mistakes
Forgetting the preposition 'a'.
Yo voy estudiar español.Yo voy a estudiar español.In English, you say "I am going to study," but in Spanish, the preposition 'a' is essential between the conjugated form of 'ir' and the infinitive. Never omit it.
Conjugating the second verb (the infinitive).
Nosotros vamos a comemos pizza.Nosotros vamos a comer pizza.Only the verb 'ir' should be conjugated. The main action verb must remain in its infinitive form (ending in -ar, -er, or -ir).
How It Connects
Learn This First
To form the near future, you must first know how to conjugate the verb 'ir' in the present tense. You also need to understand the role of the preposition 'a' as a connector and be familiar with verb infinitives, which are the actions you are 'going to' do.
- voy/vas/va/vamos/vanIr Present Tense
The 'ir + a + infinitive' construction requires the irregular present tense conjugation of the verb 'ir' as its auxiliary component.
Foundations - a/de/en/con/sinBasic Prepositions
The preposition 'a' is a mandatory structural link between the conjugated verb 'ir' and the following infinitive.
Foundations - -o/-as/-a/-amos/-áis/-anPresent Tense -AR Verbs
Learners must understand the concept of an infinitive (the base form of the verb) which is the second part of this construction.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- -o/-es/-e/-imos/-ís/-enPresent Tense -IR Verbs
While 'ir' is an -ir verb, its present tense conjugation is highly irregular and does not follow this standard pattern. Knowing the standard pattern helps you understand why 'ir' is so special.
Level 1 - tener que + InfinitiveObligation with Tener
This is another common structure using a conjugated verb + infinitive. It's helpful to compare them: 'ir a' expresses future intention, while 'tener que' expresses obligation ('have to').
Level 1 - querer + InfinitiveWant to
Similar to 'ir a' and 'tener que', this pattern uses a conjugated verb ('querer') followed by an infinitive to express desire ('want to').
Level 1 - -aré/-arás/-ará/-aremos/-aréis/-aránFuture Tense -AR Verbs
This is the simple future tense, another way to talk about the future. 'Voy a hablar' (I'm going to speak) is often interchangeable with 'hablaré' (I will speak), but 'ir a' is more common in conversation.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice ir + a + Infinitive in Bubblegum
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