In Spanish, the structure “Ir a + infinitivo” is one of the most commonly used grammatical constructions to express future actions or intentions. It is the equivalent of saying “going to + verb” in English. For example, “Voy a comer” translates to “I am going to eat.” This structure is straightforward, versatile, and essential for everyday communication in Spanish. Whether you’re planning to travel, make plans with friends, or simply talk about your future goals, mastering “Ir a + infinitivo” is a must.

In this blog post, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this structure, including common expressions, conjugation rules, irregular verbs, and practical examples. Let’s dive in!

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Common Expressions Using “Ir a + Infinitivo”

Here’s a list of common expressions using “Ir a + infinitivo” that you’ll hear in day-to-day conversations:

1. Voy a comer – I am going to eat.
2. Vamos a bailar – We are going to dance.
3. Va a llover – It is going to rain.
4. Vas a estudiar – You are going to study.
5. Van a viajar – They are going to travel.
6. Voy a trabajar – I am going to work.
7. Vamos a cenar – We are going to have dinner.
8. Va a llegar tarde – He/She is going to arrive late.
9. Vas a ganar – You are going to win.
10. Van a comprar – They are going to buy.

These expressions are used frequently in Spanish, making them essential for learners to practice and memorize.

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Things to Keep in Mind

When using “Ir a + infinitivo,” there are a few key points to remember:

1. Articles and Gender: Unlike nouns, infinitives (the base form of verbs) do not require articles or change according to gender. For example, “Voy a leer” (I am going to read) remains the same regardless of the speaker’s gender.
2. Plurality: The verb “ir” conjugates based on the subject, but the infinitive remains unchanged. For example, “Voy a correr” (I am going to run) vs. “Vamos a correr” (We are going to run).
3. Contractions: In Spanish, “a” (to) and “el” (the) combine to form “al.” For example, “Voy al parque” (I am going to the park). However, this contraction does not apply to infinitives.
4. Pronunciation: The “a” in “Ir a + infinitivo” is pronounced softly, almost blending with the infinitive.

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When to Use “Ir a + Infinitivo”

The structure “Ir a + infinitivo” is used in the following situations:

1. Future Plans: To talk about future actions or plans.
   • Example: Voy a visitar a mi abuela mañana. (I am going to visit my grandmother tomorrow.)
2. Predictions: To make predictions based on current evidence.
   • Example: Va a llover esta tarde. (It is going to rain this afternoon.)
3. Intentions: To express intentions or goals.
   • Example: Voy a aprender español este año. (I am going to learn Spanish this year.)
4. Immediate Future: To describe actions that will happen soon.
   • Example: Vamos a salir en cinco minutos. (We are going to leave in five minutes.)

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Conjugation

To form “Ir a + infinitivo,” you need to conjugate the verb “ir” (to go) according to the subject, followed by “a” and the infinitive of the main verb. Here’s how to conjugate “ir” in the present tense:

Pronoun	Conjugation of “Ir”
Yo	Voy
Tú	Vas
Él/Ella/Usted	Va
Nosotros/Nosotras	Vamos
Vosotros/Vosotras	Vais
Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes	Van

Regular Verbs

Regular verbs in Spanish fall into three categories based on their infinitive endings: -ar, -er, and -ir. Here’s how “Ir a + infinitivo” works with each category:

1. -AR Verbs:
   • Example: Voy a hablar. (I am going to speak.)
2. -ER Verbs:
   • Example: Vas a comer. (You are going to eat.)
3. -IR Verbs:
   • Example: Va a vivir. (He/She is going to live.)

Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs do not follow the standard conjugation patterns, but their infinitives remain unchanged when used with “Ir a + infinitivo.” Here are some common irregular verbs and their conjugations:

1. Hacer (to do/make):
   • Voy a hacer la tarea. (I am going to do the homework.)
2. Tener (to have):
   • Vas a tener suerte. (You are going to have luck.)
3. Decir (to say/tell):
   • Va a decir la verdad. (He/She is going to tell the truth.)
4. Venir (to come):
   • Vamos a venir tarde. (We are going to come late.)
5. Poner (to put):
   • Van a poner la mesa. (They are going to set the table.)

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Verbs in “Ir a + Infinitivo”

Verb (Infinitive)	“Ir a + Infinitivo” Form	Example Sentence 1	Example Sentence 2
Hablar (to speak)	Voy a hablar	Voy a hablar con él. (I am going to speak with him.)	Vas a hablar en público. (You are going to speak in public.)
Comer (to eat)	Vamos a comer	Vamos a comer pizza. (We are going to eat pizza.)	Va a comer temprano. (He/She is going to eat early.)
Vivir (to live)	Van a vivir	Van a vivir en España. (They are going to live in Spain.)	Voy a vivir solo. (I am going to live alone.)
Hacer (to do/make)	Vas a hacer	Vas a hacer ejercicio. (You are going to exercise.)	Voy a hacer un pastel. (I am going to make a cake.)
Tener (to have)	Va a tener	Va a tener una fiesta. (He/She is going to have a party.)	Vamos a tener un examen. (We are going to have an exam.)
Decir (to say)	Voy a decir	Voy a decir la verdad. (I am going to tell the truth.)	Vas a decir algo importante. (You are going to say something important.)
Venir (to come)	Vamos a venir	Vamos a venir mañana. (We are going to come tomorrow.)	Va a venir tarde. (He/She is going to come late.)
Poner (to put)	Van a poner	Van a poner la mesa. (They are going to set the table.)	Voy a poner música. (I am going to put on music.)
Salir (to leave)	Vas a salir	Vas a salir temprano. (You are going to leave early.)	Voy a salir con amigos. (I am going to go out with friends.)
Ver (to see)	Va a ver	Va a ver una película. (He/She is going to watch a movie.)	Vamos a ver el partido. (We are going to watch the game.)

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More Example Sentences

1. Voy a estudiar para el examen. (I am going to study for the exam.)
2. Vas a comprar un regalo. (You are going to buy a gift.)
3. Va a escribir una carta. (He/She is going to write a letter.)
4. Vamos a viajar a México. (We are going to travel to Mexico.)
5. Van a jugar fútbol. (They are going to play soccer.)
6. Voy a cocinar la cena. (I am going to cook dinner.)
7. Vas a aprender español. (You are going to learn Spanish.)
8. Va a llover esta noche. (It is going to rain tonight.)
9. Vamos a bailar en la fiesta. (We are going to dance at the party.)
10. Van a construir una casa. (They are going to build a house.)

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Fill in the Blanks

1. Voy a ___ (eat) pizza.
2. Vamos a ___ (study) juntos.
3. Va a ___ (rain) mañana.
4. Vas a ___ (buy) un coche.
5. Van a ___ (travel) a Europa.
6. Voy a ___ (do) ejercicio.
7. Vamos a ___ (have dinner) en un restaurante.
8. Va a ___ (write) un libro.
9. Vas a ___ (learn) español.
10. Van a ___ (build) una casa.

Answers:

1. comer
2. estudiar
3. llover
4. comprar
5. viajar
6. hacer
7. cenar
8. escribir
9. aprender
10. construir

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Conclusion

Mastering “Ir a + infinitivo” is a game-changer for anyone learning Spanish. It’s a simple yet powerful structure that allows you to express future plans, intentions, and predictions with ease. By practicing the conjugations, memorizing common expressions, and using the examples provided, you’ll be well on your way to sounding like a native speaker.

So, what are you waiting for? ¡Vamos a practicar! (Let’s practice!)

¡Hasta luego! (See you later!)

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