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Lesson 8: Ir: One More Irregular Verb

lesson on Ir: one more irregular verb; ir in the Spanish present tense

8.1

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Another Common Irregular

Ir is an irregular that, unlike ser and estar, has a pretty straightforward definition. It simply means to go.

ir present tense Spanish conjugation table

Example:

Yo voy a la tienda
I go to the store

8.2

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Using the Fake Future

Its best secret, though, is that by learning ir in the present, you now know a future tense! It is formed like so:

[ir conjugated] + a + [infinitive of verb being performed]
ir a comer fake future tense
Voy a comer.
‍I am going to eat.
ir a estudiar fake future tense
Va a estudiar manaña.
‍‍He is going to study tomorrow.
ir a beber fake future tense
Vamos a beber las cervezas.
‍‍We are going to drink the beers.

Some people refer to this tense as the fake future. Why? There’s actually a different future tense that we’ll learn about later. However the fake future is incredibly common (especially in Latin America) as a stand-in for that other future tense. It usually indicates an intention or a degree of immediacy, but that’s really handy, especially for beginning learners. Think about how in English we can say I am going to do my homework or we can say I will do my homework.

8.3

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Formation of the Fake Future

Definition of the Spanish fake future tense: the fake future tense indicates upcoming actions using the present tense of ir+a+the infinitive form of the action being performed

Forming the fake future with regular verbs:

  1. Conjugate ir in the present tense for the given pronoun.
ir present tense Spanish conjugation table
  1. Combine the conjugated form of ir with “a” and the infinitive of the verb being performed.
hablar fake future tense Spanish conjugation tablecomer fake future tense Spanish conjugation tablevivir fake future tense Spanish conjugation table

8.4

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Examples Using the Fake Future

Below are some more examples of how you can use the fake future tense in the real world:

ir present tense example
Yo voy a hablar en la conferencia mañana.
I am going to speak at the conference tomorrow.
Yo voy a hablar en la conferencia mañana.
I am going to speak at the conference tomorrow.
ir present tense example
Vamos a comer en el nuevo restaurante esta noche.
We are going to eat in the new restaurant tonight.
Vamos a comer en el nuevo restaurante esta noche.
We are going to eat in the new restaurant tonight.
ir present tense example
Vais a vivir en el nuevo apartamento pronto.
You are going to live in the new apartment soon.
Vais a vivir en el nuevo apartamento pronto.
You are going to live in the new apartment soon.

Look at that! You learned a new verb and a whole new tense with it. Your future is looking bright!

Lesson 6 future is bright crystal ball icon

Practice Time!

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The only way to master these verbs is through targeted practice. Fortunately for you, VerbMaster’s intelligent tutoring system makes conjugation practice a breeze!

‍In this session, you’ll practice conjugating ir in the present tense. So what are you waiting for? Get to studying, you’re on your way to becoming a VerbMaster!