Ir in the Spanish present tense
Ir means to go. It is completely irregular and extremely common for movement, destinations and future plans.
Learn voy, vas, va, vamos, vais and van as a complete pattern.
Present forms of ir
Use the form that agrees with the subject, then add a before a destination or a + infinitive for a future plan.
1. Ir a + destination
Use ir a before a destination. Contract a + el to al, but do not contract a la, a los or a las.
2. Transportation
Use en with most forms of transportation and a pie for on foot.
3. Ir a + infinitive
Use ir a + infinitive for a future plan or intention. Only ir is conjugated; the second verb remains an infinitive.
4. Questions
Use adónde for a destination or movement.
5. Ir, venir and salir
Ir describes movement toward another place. Venir describes movement toward the speaker or reference point. Salir means to leave or go out.
6. Common mistakes
Conjugate ir.
Tú requires vas.
Keep the second verb in the infinitive.
Contract a + el to al.
7. A reliable method
- Identify the subject.
- Choose voy, vas, va, vamos, vais or van.
- Use a before a destination.
- Keep the second verb infinitive in ir a + infinitive.