Ir + a + infinitive
Ir + a + Infinitive
The Ir + a + Infinitive construction is a simple yet vital structure in Spanish for expressing future actions, intentions, or plans. It is comparable to the English phrase "going to" when referring to future events. Given its frequency of use in everyday Spanish, mastering this structure is essential for effective communication.
Formation of Ir + a + Infinitive
The formula follows a basic pattern:
Ir (to go) – conjugated to match the subject.
a (to).
Infinitive verb – remains in its base form (unconjugated).
Example:
Voy a estudiar.
Translation: I am going to study.
Here, "voy" is the conjugated form of ir (I go), "a" means "to," and estudiar is the infinitive form of the verb, representing the action of studying.
Conjugation of Ir
To construct this future tense correctly, you need to conjugate ir depending on the subject. Here’s the present tense conjugation of ir:
Yo voy (I go / I am going)
Tú vas (You go / You are going)
Él / Ella / Usted va (He/She/You [formal] go / are going)
Nosotros/Nosotras vamos (We go / We are going)
Vosotros/Vosotras vais (You all go / are going – Spain)
Ellos / Ellas / Ustedes van (They/You all go / are going)
The second part of the construction is the infinitive verb, which stays unchanged no matter the subject. For instance, estudiar (to study), comer (to eat), or vivir (to live) remain the same regardless of who is performing the action.
Usage of Ir + a + Infinitive
This structure has a variety of applications, making it highly useful in conversations. Let’s explore its most common uses:
1. Expressing Future Plans
The Ir + a + Infinitive formula is frequently used to talk about future plans or actions that will happen in the near future. It’s the equivalent of saying "going to" in English.
Examples:
Vamos a comer en un restaurante.
Translation: We are going to eat at a restaurant.
Explanation: "Vamos" is the conjugated form of ir for "we," followed by the preposition "a" and the infinitive comer (to eat).
Voy a visitar a mis abuelos.
Translation: I am going to visit my grandparents.
Explanation: The verb ir (voy) is conjugated to match the subject "I," with visitar in the infinitive indicating the action.
This use is incredibly common in daily life when discussing upcoming plans or actions.
2. Making Predictions
The Ir + a + Infinitive structure can also be used to make predictions based on evidence or expectations, similar to how you might say "going to" in English when you are fairly certain about an event's outcome.
Examples:
Él va a ganar el partido.
Translation: He is going to win the match.
Va a llover esta tarde.
Translation: It is going to rain this afternoon.
Explanation: Here, the speaker predicts future events based on current or obvious signs (e.g., the weather looks cloudy).
3. Talking About Intentions
This construction is useful for expressing future intentions or plans. It often indicates something the speaker is planning or aiming to do soon.
Examples:
Voy a ver una película.
Translation: I am going to watch a movie.
Voy a hacer ejercicio mañana.
Translation: I am going to exercise tomorrow.
Explanation: The structure expresses the speaker's future intentions, typically reflecting their personal decisions or plans.
4. Offering Invitations or Proposals
You can use Ir + a + Infinitive to suggest activities, invite others to join, or make proposals. This usage is equivalent to "Let’s" in English.
Examples:
¿Vamos a cenar juntos?
Translation: Are we going to have dinner together? / Let’s have dinner together.
Vamos a salir esta noche.
Translation: We are going out tonight.
Explanation: This is a polite, casual way to propose a plan or invite someone to join an activity.
Comparison with English
The Ir + a + Infinitive formula is very similar to the English construction "going to" for expressing future plans or intentions.
Example:
Voy a leer un libro.
Translation: I am going to read a book.
Explanation: The sentence structure and meaning are almost identical in both languages.
Here’s another example:
Ellos van a viajar a España.
Translation: They are going to travel to Spain.
This similarity makes it easier for English speakers to grasp this structure in Spanish.
Additional Examples
Here are more examples of Ir + a + Infinitive in context:
Voy a aprender español.
Translation: I am going to learn Spanish.
Van a llegar tarde.
Translation: They are going to arrive late.
Vamos a cocinar una cena deliciosa.
Translation: We are going to cook a delicious dinner.
Ella va a estudiar medicina en la universidad.
Translation: She is going to study medicine at the university.
Variations and Advanced Uses
Let’s explore a few variations and advanced applications of this formula.
Expressing Immediate Intentions
The Ir + a + Infinitive structure can also emphasize actions that are about to happen immediately, similar to "about to" in English.
Voy a salir ahora mismo.
Translation: I am about to leave right now.
Using Negatives
To express negation, simply add no before the conjugated form of ir:
No voy a ir a la fiesta.
Translation: I am not going to go to the party.
No vamos a hacer nada.
Translation: We are not going to do anything.
Practice for Fluency
Mastering Ir + a + Infinitive is essential for fluency in Spanish. To practice, try forming sentences with different subjects and verbs, and pay attention to how the formula works in everyday conversations.
Examples for practice:
Yo voy a viajar. (I am going to travel.)
Tú vas a estudiar. (You are going to study.)
Nosotros vamos a salir. (We are going to go out.)
Ellos van a ganar. (They are going to win.)
Conclusion
The Ir + a + Infinitive construction is a fundamental tool in Spanish for expressing future actions, plans, and intentions. Its straightforward formation, similar to English, makes it easy to understand and apply. By practicing this structure regularly, you’ll find that talking about future events in Spanish becomes second nature, enhancing your fluency and confidence in everyday conversations.
Also visit our Spanish Short Stories page, where you'll find engaging stories tailored to various skill levels, helping you boost vocabulary and comprehension in a fun, immersive way.
Check out more conjugations of “ir” in this dedicated lesson.
