IR + PREPOSITIONS: three structures you need to use every day
If you are learning Spanish, you probably already know the verb ir. It is one of the most important and most frequently used verbs in the language.
However, many students make mistakes because they do not always use the correct preposition after ir.
Do we say voy a estudiar or voy de estudiar? Voy de compras or voy a compras?
The good news is that, to get started, you only need to learn three very common structures.
1. IR A + LUGAR
We use ir a to talk about the place or destination we are going to.
Structure:
ir + a + lugar
Examples:
- Voy al teatro.
- Vamos a la playa.
- Marta va a una exposición.
- ¿Vas a la escuela?
Remember
When the preposition a is combined with the article el, they form al.
- Voy al cine.
- Vamos al supermercado.
2. IR A + INFINITIVO
We use this structure to talk about a future action or activity.
Structure:
ir + a + infinitivo
Examples:
- Voy a bailar.
- Vamos a aprender español.
- Ana va a cocinar.
- ¿Vais a salir esta noche?
This structure is also very commonly used to express plans or the near future.
More examples:
- Voy a estudiar esta noche.
- Vamos a viajar mañana.
3. IR DE + SUSTANTIVO
We use ir de + sustantivo to talk about certain activities. In these cases, we use a noun because it is the name of the activity.
Structure:
ir + de + sustantivo
Examples:
- Voy de compras.
- Vamos de vacaciones.
- Ellos van de excursión.
- Marta va de viaje mañana.
Very important
After ir de, we normally use a noun, not a verb. This is because the noun is the name of the activity.
- ir de compras ✔
- ir de vacaciones ✔
- ir de excursión ✔
- ir de viaje ✔
- ir de comprar ✘
- ir de viajar ✘
Summary
These are the three most important structures to get started:
- Ir a + lugar → we talk about a destination. Voy a la playa.
- Ir a + infinitivo → we talk about an action or a future plan. Voy a nadar.
- Ir de + sustantivo → we talk about certain activities or situations that are expressed in Spanish with a noun because the noun is the name of the activity. Voy de vacaciones.
If you master these three structures, you will be able to talk naturally about many plans, activities, and movements from one place to another.
