The near future: ir a + infinitive
How to use 'ir a + infinitive' to say what you're going to do, and which time markers go with it.
The construction ir a + infinitive
Just like English 'going to', Spanish uses the verb ir (to go) + a + an infinitive to say what's about to happen. This is called the futuro próximo (near future) and is used far more often in everyday speech than the 'real' future tense.
subject + ir (conjugated) + a + infinitive
Voy a estudiar (I'm going to study), Vamos a comer (we're going to eat).
Examples
The conjugation of ir
Ir is completely irregular. Only ir itself changes; the second verb always stays in the infinitive.
| ir | |
|---|---|
| yo | voy |
| tú | vas |
| él/ella/usted | va |
| nosotros/as | vamos |
| vosotros/as | vais |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes | van |
Examples
Time markers for the near future
These expressions are often combined with ir a + infinitive:
- mañana = tomorrow
- pasado mañana = the day after tomorrow
- esta noche / esta tarde = tonight / this afternoon
- este fin de semana = this weekend
- la semana que viene (also: la próxima semana) = next week
- el mes/año que viene = next month/year
Examples
Negative form
To make the near future negative, put no before the conjugated form of ir: no + ir + a + infinitive.
Examples
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Related grammar
← Gustar and similar verbsBasic prepositions →
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