Ir + a + Infinitive: The Near Future
Quick Answer: Conjugate 'ir' in the present tense + 'a' + infinitive to express plans or intentions. This is the most common way to express the future in everyday speech, especially in Latin America.
The easiest way to talk about future plans
Category: Verb Tenses
The Rule
Conjugate 'ir' in the present tense + 'a' + infinitive to express plans or intentions. This is the most common way to express the future in everyday speech, especially in Latin America.
Why This Matters
Just like English 'going to + verb,' Spanish uses 'ir + a + infinitive.' It's much more conversational than the simple future tense and is often the first future construction learners should master.
Examples
• Voy a estudiar esta noche. — "I'm going to study tonight." [Personal plan] • ¿Vas a venir a la fiesta? — "Are you going to come to the party?" [Question about plans] • Va a llover. — "It's going to rain." [Prediction based on evidence] • Vamos a comer tacos. — "We're going to eat tacos. / Let's eat tacos." ['Vamos a' can also mean 'let's']
Common Mistakes
❌ Voy estudiar. ✅ Voy a estudiar. → Don't forget the preposition 'a' between ir and the infinitive. It's always 'ir + a + infinitive.' ❌ Estoy yendo a estudiar. ✅ Voy a estudiar. → Use the simple present of 'ir,' not the progressive. 'Estoy yendo' is rare and means physically going somewhere.
Quick Tip
'Vamos a + infinitive' is a natural way to say 'Let's...' in conversation: '¡Vamos a bailar!' (Let's dance!). It's less formal than the subjunctive 'bailemos.'
'Vamos a + infinitive' is a natural way to say 'Let's...' in conversation: '¡Vamos a bailar!' (Let's dance!). It's less formal than the subjunctive 'bailemos.'
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: Voy estudiar. → Correct: Voy a estudiar.. Don't forget the preposition 'a' between ir and the infinitive. It's always 'ir + a + infinitive.'
Incorrect: Estoy yendo a estudiar. → Correct: Voy a estudiar.. Use the simple present of 'ir,' not the progressive. 'Estoy yendo' is rare and means physically going somewhere.
Quiz
'We are going to travel' — which is correct?