IR+A+FULL VERB v SIMPLE FUTURE.

Usually when learning Spanish, we learn IR+a+verb quite some time before we learn the Simple Future. It’s a very simple construction to learn & a very easy one to use.

Then later we learn to use the Simple future. Some teachers might tell you that they are interchangeable. Certainly, as beginners before we know the Simple Future, we’ll be understood if we use only use that. In the same way that people will understand us if we say ‘Voy a comprar un regalo para ti’ before we know how to use pronouns. A native speaker wouldn’t say that, & once we know how to use pronouns, we know that we should say ‘Te voy a comprar un regalo’ or ‘Voy a comprarte un regalo’.

IR+a+verb doesn’t mean the same as the Simple Future, so once we know them both, we should use them both appropriately.

IR+a+verb translates as ‘going to’ in Spanish. The simple future translates as ‘will’ or ‘shall’. They don’t mean the same in English either, any more than in Spanish.

So what’s the difference in use?

IR+a+verb is used when something is close timewise, or definite, decided, planned.

I’m going to buy you a gift – ‘Voy a comprarte un regalo’.

The Simple Future is less certain, or less close timewise. It’s used for possibilities or probabilities, predictions, suppositions & solemn vows like the 10 commandments:

 Thou shall not steal – No robarás.

What’s the time? It must be about 2 because I’m hungry – ¿Qué hora es? Serán las dos porque tengo hambre.

I’ll buy you something if you come shopping with me – Te compraré algo si vienes de compras conmigo.

There are 12 commonly used irregular verbs in this tense – this shows how they change, in all conjugations. The change is to the stem, or root of the verb, with the ending the same for each conjugation as in those above.