Unit 6.1
The verb periphrasis Ir a + infinitive
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Introduction
A verbal periphrasis [perífrasis verbal] is a grammatical construction consisting of two or more verbs that function as one in the sentence. In these cases, the personal auxiliary verb (conjugated) is joined to another non-personal auxiliary verb with neither gender nor number (it can be infinitive, gerund or participle).
The periphrasis ir a + infinitive [perífrasis ir a + infinitivo] is a construction used to talk about future actions.
Form
The verb periphrasis ir a + infinitive is formed with the present indicative of the verb ir followed by a and the verb in the infinitive according to this formula:
(Subject +) Ir + a + verb in the infinitive + …
| Persona | Ir a | Infinitivo |
| Yo | voy a | hablar/comer/vivir |
| Tú | vas a | |
| Él/Ella/Usted | va a | |
| Nosotros/-as | vamos a | |
| Vosotros/-as | vais a | |
| Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes | van a |
Example
- Voy a hablar de un pintor famoso en clase;
- ¿De verdad vas a comer en un palacio convertido en restaurante?
- Sandra va a vivir del dinero que gane con la poesía;
- Vamos a hablar con los ganadores del concurso de piano;
- Vais a comer con el arquitecto que diseñó las Torres KIO;
- Paco y Marta van a vivir para siempre en su fotografía.
Use
The periphrasis ir a + infinitive is an inchoative periphrasis. That is, it implies or denotes the beginning of a thing or a progressive action.
It is used to:
- describe an action to be performed immediately // describe temporal features;
- describe a future action;
- reflect an intention.
Summary
The verbal periphrasis ir a + infinitive is a construction that, in Spanish, is used to talk about future actions.
It is formed according to this formula:
(Subject +) Ir + a + verb in the infinitive + …
For example:
— «Voy a trabajar todo el día mañana» = after voy a the verb trabajar goes in infinitive;
— «Ellos van a ir al teatro la próxima semana» = after van a the verb ir goes in the infinitive;
Check the contents of the {Form} section. Then move on the {Example} sections, which shows you the usage in context.
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