Ir + a + infinitive

Foreign Languages

Definition

In Spanish, 'ir + a + infinitive' is the near future construction used to express what someone is going to do. The verb 'ir' is conjugated in the present tense to match the subject, followed by 'a' and the infinitive of the action verb. It is the Spanish equivalent of the English 'going to + verb.'

How It Works

  1. Identify the subject of the sentence.
  2. Conjugate 'ir' in the present tense (yo voy, tú vas, él/ella va, nosotros vamos, vosotros vais, ellos/ellas van).
  3. Add the preposition 'a.'
  4. Add the infinitive form of the main verb.

Examples

  • 'Voy a estudiar esta noche' — I am going to study tonight
  • 'Ellos van a viajar a México' — They are going to travel to Mexico
  • '¿Vas a comer con nosotros?' — Are you going to eat with us?
Key Fact

Formula: subject + ir (conjugated) + a + infinitive

Related Terms

Futur proche Future tense Preterite regular verbs Ser vs estar

Study This Concept

Practice ir + a + infinitive with free review games in these units:

Spanish 1-2 Unit 12: Future and Conditional