Talking About the Future (Ir + Infinitive)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the verb 'ir' (to go) conjugated in the present tense plus an infinitive verb to talk about near future plans.
- Conjugate 'ir' to match the subject: 'Eu vou', 'Você vai'.
- Add the main verb in its original infinitive form (ending in -ar, -er, or -ir).
- For negatives, place 'não' before the conjugated 'ir': 'Eu não vou comer'.
Overview
The periphrastic future, constructed with the verb ir (to go) followed by an infinitive, is the most common and natural way to express future actions, plans, and predictions in spoken and informal written Portuguese. This structure functions similarly to the English “be going to” construction, such as I am going to eat. For A1 learners, mastering this form is essential because it allows you to express future ideas without immediately grappling with the complex conjugations of the traditional synthetic future tense.
It exemplifies a linguistic process called grammaticalization, where a lexical verb like ir loses its original meaning of physical movement and takes on a purely grammatical function, indicating futurity.
This construction dominates everyday communication, from casual conversations to informal texts and emails. While the synthetic future (e.g., farei – I will do) exists, its usage is generally reserved for highly formal contexts, literature, or news reporting. Understanding the ir + infinitive structure enables you to communicate effectively and sound natural from the outset, allowing you to form countless future statements with minimal memorization beyond the present tense of ir itself.
Conjugation Table
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation of ir (Present Indicative) |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| :-------------- | :--------------------------------------- | ||
| Eu (I) | vou |
||
| Tu (You, informal, EP) | vais |
||
| Você (You, formal, BP) | vai |
||
| Ele/Ela (He/She/It) | vai |
||
| Nós (We) | vamos |
||
| Vocês (You all, BP) | vão |
||
| Eles/Elas (They) | vão |
How This Grammar Works
ir + infinitive construction uses ir not in its literal sense of movement towards a place, but as a modal auxiliary indicating future action or intention. The meaning of 'to go' is absorbed into the act of signaling futurity for the main verb. The structure remains remarkably consistent across different verbs, simplifying its application.Eu vou estudar. (I am going to study.). Here, vou signals the future orientation, and estudar is the action planned for that future. You are not physically going somewhere to study; instead, going to study expresses the future event itself.ir has been grammaticalized into an auxiliary verb. It loses its independent meaning of locomotion and becomes a marker of tense and aspect. This is why no preposition like a is needed between ir and the infinitive, unlike Spanish (ir a) or the literal English go to.ir.ir is conjugated, the action verb (estudar, comer, falar) always appears in its base, unconjugated form. This ir + infinitive sequence forms a single conceptual unit expressing a future event. For instance, Nós vamos comer pizza hoje. (We are going to eat pizza today.) uses vamos for nós and comer (to eat) in its infinitive form, clearly indicating a future meal.ir acts as a future-time marker, making the phrase inherently forward-looking.Formation Pattern
ir (Present Indicative)] + [Infinitive of Main Verb]
ir. (Eu, Você, Nós, Eles, etc.) Subject pronouns are often omitted in Portuguese when clear from context, but for A1, it's good practice to include them.
ir: Use the present indicative form of ir that matches your subject. Refer to the Conjugation Table above. This is the only part of the construction that changes.
ir. Infinitives in Portuguese typically end in -ar, -er, or -ir (e.g., falar – to speak, ler – to read, dormir – to sleep). Ensure no prepositions are inserted between ir and the infinitive.
Eu (subject) + vou (ir conjugated) + trabalhar (infinitive) = Eu vou trabalhar amanhã. (I am going to work tomorrow.) This clearly outlines a future activity, with trabalhar remaining in its base form.
Eles (subject) + vão (ir conjugated) + visitar (infinitive) = Eles vão visitar o museu no sábado. (They are going to visit the museum on Saturday.) Here, vão indicates the future action, and visitar states what that action will be.
Você (subject) + vai (ir conjugated) + estudar (infinitive) = Você vai estudar para a prova? (Are you going to study for the test?) This demonstrates how the pattern applies equally to questions, maintaining the same structure.
When To Use It
ir + infinitive construction is incredibly versatile and applicable to almost any scenario where you need to express a future event. Unlike English, where will and going to sometimes carry subtle distinctions (e.g., spontaneous decision vs. pre-planned event), Portuguese's periphrastic future largely covers all these nuances without requiring different forms.- Plans and Intentions: For both immediate and distant future activities you intend to perform.
Vou almoçar agora.(I'm going to have lunch now.) This expresses an immediate plan. You've made the decision, and the action is imminent.Eles vão viajar para Portugal no próximo ano.(They are going to travel to Portugal next year.) This indicates a long-term plan, demonstrating the structure's applicability beyond the immediate future.- Predictions and Forecasts: When you anticipate something happening, often based on current observations or general knowledge.
Acho que vai chover mais tarde.(I think it's going to rain later.) This is a prediction based on weather signs or a forecast, usingvaito signal the expected future event.Com certeza, você vai gostar do filme.(You are definitely going to like the movie.) Here,vai gostarexpresses a confident prediction about someone's future enjoyment.- Spontaneous Decisions: Even for actions decided at the moment of speaking, where English might opt for
will. Ah, vou comprar essa blusa!(Oh, I'm going to buy this blouse!) This illustrates a sudden decision, showing the flexibility ofir+ infinitive for immediate, un-premeditated actions.Ele vai me ajudar com a tarefa.(He is going to help me with the task.) This could be a decision just made, or an affirmation of a prior agreement. The context clarifies the nuance.
ir + infinitive will reliably serve your communicative needs. Its broad applicability means you can rely on it as your primary future-telling tool.Common Mistakes
ir + infinitive. Being aware of these pitfalls is crucial for developing accurate and natural Portuguese. Recognizing these patterns of error can significantly improve your understanding and usage.- The Phantom Preposition
a: This is perhaps the most common mistake. Learners often insert the prepositionabetweenirand the infinitive, as inEu vou a estudar.This error stems from direct translation from Spanish (ir a + infinitive) or from the literal English
Conjugation of 'Ir' (Present Tense)
| Subject | Conjugation | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Eu
|
vou
|
Eu vou estudar
|
|
Você/Ele/Ela
|
vai
|
Ele vai comer
|
|
Nós
|
vamos
|
Nós vamos sair
|
|
Vocês/Eles/Elas
|
vão
|
Eles vão dormir
|
Meanings
This structure is used to express actions that will happen in the near future or to state a firm intention.
Immediate Future
Actions planned for the very near future.
“Eu vou sair agora.”
“Nós vamos jantar às oito.”
Intention
Expressing a personal plan or goal.
“Eu vou aprender português.”
“Você vai trabalhar hoje?”
Prediction
Predicting something based on current evidence.
“Vai chover hoje.”
“O time vai ganhar.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Ir + Infinitive
|
Eu vou trabalhar
|
|
Negative
|
Não + Ir + Infinitive
|
Eu não vou trabalhar
|
|
Question
|
Ir + Subject + Infinitive?
|
Você vai trabalhar?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Sim, eu vou
|
Sim, eu vou
|
|
Negative Short
|
Não, eu não vou
|
Não, eu não vou
|
Formality Spectrum
Eu irei comer. (Dining)
Eu vou comer. (Dining)
Vou comer. (Dining)
Vou mandar ver na comida. (Dining)
The Future Formula
Conjugations
- vou I go
- vai he/she goes
- vamos we go
- vão they go
Action
- comer to eat
- estudar to study
- viajar to travel
Examples by Level
Eu vou comer.
I am going to eat.
Você vai estudar?
Are you going to study?
Nós vamos viajar.
We are going to travel.
Eles vão chegar.
They are going to arrive.
Eu não vou sair hoje.
I am not going to go out today.
O que você vai fazer?
What are you going to do?
Vai chover amanhã.
It is going to rain tomorrow.
Nós vamos comprar um carro.
We are going to buy a car.
Eu vou terminar o projeto até sexta-feira.
I am going to finish the project by Friday.
Eles vão se casar no próximo mês.
They are going to get married next month.
Você vai precisar de ajuda?
Are you going to need help?
Nós vamos visitar nossos avós.
We are going to visit our grandparents.
A empresa vai investir em novas tecnologias.
The company is going to invest in new technologies.
Eu vou considerar sua proposta com cuidado.
I am going to consider your proposal carefully.
Vai ser difícil encontrar uma solução.
It is going to be difficult to find a solution.
Vocês vão se arrepender dessa decisão.
You are going to regret this decision.
A economia vai sofrer mudanças drásticas.
The economy is going to undergo drastic changes.
Eu vou me dedicar inteiramente a este estudo.
I am going to dedicate myself entirely to this study.
Eles vão implementar novas políticas em breve.
They are going to implement new policies soon.
Vai ser um desafio superar esses obstáculos.
It is going to be a challenge to overcome these obstacles.
A sociedade vai ter de reavaliar seus valores fundamentais.
Society is going to have to reevaluate its fundamental values.
Eu vou me abster de comentar sobre o assunto.
I am going to refrain from commenting on the matter.
A história vai julgar nossas ações atuais.
History is going to judge our current actions.
Vai ser imperativo que tomemos uma decisão.
It is going to be imperative that we make a decision.
Easily Confused
Learners mix up the endings of the simple future with the 'ir' auxiliary.
Spanish speakers add 'a' because of their native language.
Portuguese uses the present tense for future events too.
Common Mistakes
Eu vou como
Eu vou comer
Eu ir comer
Eu vou comer
Eu vou para comer
Eu vou comer
Nós vai comer
Nós vamos comer
Eu não vou para sair
Eu não vou sair
Você vai indo?
Você vai?
Eles vai ir
Eles vão
Eu irei a comer
Eu vou comer
Nós vamos de comer
Nós vamos comer
Vai ser chover
Vai chover
Eu vou estar a comer
Eu vou comer
Ele vai ter de ir
Ele vai ter de ir
Vai ser de acontecer
Vai acontecer
Sentence Patterns
Eu vou ___ amanhã.
Você vai ___ comigo?
Nós não vamos ___ hoje.
Eles vão ___ o projeto.
Real World Usage
Vou chegar em 10 min.
Vou postar fotos da viagem!
Eu vou me dedicar ao cargo.
Eu vou querer a pizza.
Nós vamos pegar o trem.
Vou pedir um hambúrguer.
Drop the pronoun
Don't use 'a'
Use it for predictions
A gente vs Nós
Smart Tips
Drop the subject pronoun.
Use 'ir + inf' instead of the simple future.
In Brazil, use 'a gente' for a more casual tone.
Use rising intonation.
Pronunciation
Vou
Sounds like 'voh'.
Vai
Sounds like 'vye'.
Question
Você vai comer? ↑
Rising intonation at the end.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Vou, vais, vai, vamos, vão — the future is in your hand!
Visual Association
Imagine yourself walking (ir) toward a giant door labeled with your goal (the infinitive verb).
Rhyme
Eu vou, você vai, o futuro não cai!
Story
Maria wakes up. She says, 'Eu vou tomar café' (I'm going to have coffee). Then she says, 'Eu vou trabalhar' (I'm going to work). Finally, 'Eu vou dormir' (I'm going to sleep). She used the future all day!
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 things you are going to do tomorrow using 'Eu vou...'.
Cultural Notes
The use of 'a gente' instead of 'nós' is extremely common.
The use of 'nós' is more common in formal speech.
Similar to Brazil, 'ir + infinitive' is the standard.
Derived from Latin 'ire' (to go) + the infinitive form of the main verb.
Conversation Starters
O que você vai fazer no fim de semana?
Você vai viajar nas férias?
O que você vai estudar hoje?
Você vai mudar de emprego em breve?
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
Eu ___ estudar.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Nós vai sair.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
They are going to travel.
Answer starts with: Ele...
Você ___ fazer?
Use 'nós' and 'estudar'.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercisesEu ___ estudar.
Which is correct?
Find and fix the mistake:
Nós vai sair.
comer / eu / vou / hoje
They are going to travel.
Você ___ fazer?
Use 'nós' and 'estudar'.
Eu -> ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesEles ___ vender a casa.
Choose the Portuguese translation:
falar / com / vou / eu / ele
Você vais sair hoje?
A gente ___ ver um filme.
Translate to Portuguese (using Nós):
Match correctly:
How do you say 'I am NOT going to eat'?
Ela vai bebe água.
Amanhã ___ chover.
vai / onde / você / almoçar / ?
Vocês ___ chegar tarde.
Score: /12
FAQ (8)
Yes, but it's more common for near future. For distant future, the simple future is better.
Portuguese grammar evolved differently from Spanish. 'Ir' acts as a direct auxiliary.
Yes, 'nós vamos' is the standard form.
It's acceptable, but the simple future is preferred in formal documents.
Just put 'não' before 'vou'. 'Eu não vou comer'.
Yes, the structure is identical.
Yes, 'Vai chover' is very common.
Conjugating the second verb.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Ir a + infinitive
The absence of 'a' in Portuguese.
Aller + infinitive
None, they are structurally identical.
Werden + infinitive
German uses a specific future auxiliary, not a motion verb.
Verb + tsumori
Japanese does not use motion verbs for future.
Sa- + verb
Arabic uses morphology, not an auxiliary verb.
Yào + verb
Chinese does not conjugate.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Related Grammar Rules
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