Asked • 06/26/19

ir a «infinitive» vs. future tense?

There are two ways to indicate a future action, *ir a «infinitive»* and the future tense. How do I decide which to use when? Is one form more common when spoken or in writing? Is there a regional preference?

Julia E.

Hi there! Great question. In my travels, I have noticed when speaking Spanish it is much more common to use to ir + a + infinitive, especially with short term intentions/goals, such as, "voy al supermercado hoy" or "voy a hablar con ella". In writing, depending on the level of formality, I often see the future tense used. Again, this depends upon the type of document being created. For a formal paper/essay, I would use the future tense more often. On the other hand, one will be reading a book and when there is a dialogue between characters or a monologue of thoughts from one person, the more common way to describe future actions would be the use of ir + a + infinitive. Hope this helps some!
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08/16/19

Pablo R.

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Hi there! I can help you with that. Both ir a + infinitive and the future tense express actions that will happen, but they have subtle differences in use: Spoken vs. Written: Ir a + infinitive (e.g., Voy a estudiar) is more common in spoken Spanish and casual conversations because it’s simpler and sounds more natural. The future tense (e.g., Estudiaré) is often used in formal writing, speeches, or to add emphasis or certainty. Intent vs. Certainty: Use ir a + infinitive for near or planned actions (e.g., Voy a llamar más tarde – I’m going to call later). Use the future tense to express certainty, predictions, or something less immediate (e.g., Lloverá mañana – It will rain tomorrow). Regional Preferences: Ir a + infinitive is universally used in all Spanish-speaking regions, especially in informal contexts. The future tense tends to be used more formally and is often preferred in literature, journalism, or specific dialects like those in Spain. In everyday conversations, ir a + infinitive is usually more common. However, mastering both forms will give you flexibility to match the tone and context!
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01/18/25

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Adriana D. answered • 06/27/19

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The infinitive is more used when that future action could be repeated over and over in the daily life.

The future tense indicates one future action with determination to do it.

In the spoken or written Spanish you can use both with the same connotations

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