A2 (Elementary)Lesson 9: Basic Clause Patterns & Everyday Usage
Ir + infinitive is one of the most important Brazilian future patterns. It expresses plans, decisions, predictions, and next steps in a direct way.
"ir + infinitive" is the main spoken future pattern
Use it for plans, intentions, and likely next actions
Do not add a preposition before the infinitive
ir + infinitive
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Use "ir + infinitive" for near future and planned actions: "vou estudar", "a gente vai sair".
This pattern is extremely common in speech and often replaces the synthetic future in ordinary conversation.
Keep the infinitive after "ir": "vai comprar", "vamos ligar", "vou fazer".
Do not confuse "vou estudar" with movement "vou ao mercado".
The context shows whether "ir" is acting as an auxiliary or as a full verb of movement.
This pattern works easily with pronouns: "vou te ligar".
| Step | Rule |
|---|
| Portuguese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Vou estudar depois. | I am going to study later. |
| A gente vai comprar isso amanhã. | We're going to buy that tomorrow. |
| Você vai ligar pra ela? | Are you going to call her? |
| Eles vão sair cedo. | They are going to leave early. |
| Eu vou ao mercado agora. | I am going to the market now. |
| A gente vai comprar amanhã. | We're going to buy tomorrow. |
| Vou te mostrar isso. | I am going to show you that. |
The simple future still appears in writing, promises, legal language, and more formal registers.
"Ir" as movement is separate: "vou à praia", not "vou praia".
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