Using the Verb Ir

Expressing “To Go” with the Verb Ir
In this Chapter, we learn how to form more complex Spanish sentences using the verb ir (to go), which, quite frankly, is one of the most frequently used verbs in Spanish as it is in English.

1st Person (yo) voy (nosotros, nosotras) vamos
2nd Person (tú) vas (vosotros, vosotras) vais
3rd Person (él, ella, Ud.) va (ellos, ellas, Uds.)  van

With this verb, we can create more robust sentences that can be attributed to the future tense, which is a common practice even in English.  With the verb ir, we can also start communicating with indicative sentences that have more than one verb.  These complex sentences follow a specific pattern:

Conjugation of ir  + a  +  Verb (infinitive)

Let’s put that formula to work now with some basic examples of the verb ir in action.  Remember, the subject pronoun is not always required!
Yo voy a trabajar.  I’m going to work.
Vas a caminar.  You are going to walk.
Ella va a mirar la tele.  She is going to watch television.  
Vamos a ir a la escuela.  We are going to go to the school.
Ellos van a comer.  They are going to eat.  

You’ll notice that each example follows the prescribed pattern.  The second verb is always in the infinitive form.

¡Diálogo! Read the following dialogue between friends deciding what they want to do for the evening:
Estudiante 1: ¿Vas al cine?
Estudiante 2: No, no voy al cine.  Voy a mirar la tele en casa.  
Estudiante 1: Y después, ¿vas a estudiar?  
Estudiante 2: Sí.  Tenemos un examen mañana. 
Estudiante 1: Vas a sacar buenas notas.
Estudiante 2: Ojalá.  

Using Ir to Say “Let’s”
We can form simple commands in the first person plural (nosotros) by using the same formula we learned in this chapter.  These sentences rely on context to determine the meaning.
Vamos a volar.  We’re going to fly.  or Let’s fly.
Vamos a ir.  We’re going to go.  or Let’s go.
Vamos a viajar.  We’re going to travel.  or Let’s travel.  
Vamos a dormir.  We’re going to sleep.  or Let’s sleep.