Verb 'Ir' in Spanish: Conjugation, Present, Preterite and Imperfect

The Spanish verb "ir" (to go) is one of the most commonly used—and one of the most unpredictable. You will learn Present Tense Conjugation -Yo voy (I go) -  and the Past Tense Conjugations: Preterite and Imperfect. Avoid a common mix-up between "ser" and "ir" in the past tense. ❌ Fui en Nueva York el año pasado. Since it doesn’t follow typical conjugation patterns, mastering its forms is crucial for fluency and confidence. Learn now.

Why Is "Ir" a Completely Irregular Verb?

Unlike regular Spanish verbs that follow predictable conjugation rules, "ir" shifts radically across different tenses. I always say to my students to think of Spanish politeness like a dance—the rhythm matters. Similarly, conjugating "ir" requires you to memorize forms rather than rely on standard logic.

A case in point

• Present tense: Yo voy (I go)
• Preterite tense: Yo fui (I went)
• Imperfect tense: Yo iba (I used to go)

See how the root changes entirely? Learning "ir" demands an intuitive understanding rather than simply following a formula. Learning Spanish isn’t just about grammar—it’s about connection.

Present Tense Conjugation

In the present tense, 'ir' takes completely unique forms, like snowflakes—each shape distinct, yet part of the same language landscape.

Present Tense Conjugation of ''Ir'' (Presente de Indicativo)

Yo voy                                         I go        

Tú vas   (informal)                    you go

Usted va  (formal)                     you go

Él/Ella/ va                                   he/she goes

Nosotros vamos                        we go

Vosotros/as vais (España)      you all go

Ustedes van (Latinoamérica)  you all go

Ellos/Ellas van                           they go

How It’s Used

The present tense helps express habitual actions, general truths, and immediate movement.

A case in point:

Yo voy a la escuela en la mañana.
Ustedes van al supermercado.
Tú vas al restaurante.

Present tense to describe future plans

For example:
¿A dónde vas mañana? (Where are you going tomorrow?)
Voy al supermercado.   (I’m going to the supermarket.)

Even though these sentences are in present tense, they imply future action. That’s a fresh linguistic insight! However, when emphasizing an action happening right now, Spanish uses "estar + gerundio" (e.g., Estoy yendo = "I am going").

Past Tense Conjugations: Preterite and Imperfect

Since "ir" is irregular verb, its past forms require memorization. Here’s how they break down:

Preterite (Pretérito Indefinido) of Verb ''Ir''

Used for completed actions:

Conjugation

Yo fui                                       I went
Tú fuiste (informal)               you went
Usted fue (formal)                 you went
Él/Ella fue                                he/she went
Nosotros/as fuimos               we went
Vosotros/as fuisteis (España)  you all went
Ustedes fueron (Latinoamérica) you all went
Ellos/Ellas fueron                         they went

Examples:

• Nosotros fuimos a la playa el fin de semana pasado. (We went to the beach last weekend.)
• ¿Adónde fuiste ayer? (Where did you go yesterday?)

Unlike English, Spanish doesn’t need auxiliary verbs (like "did") in questions—the verb "fuiste" already carries the past meaning.

Imperfect (Pretérito Imperfecto)

Used for repeated or background actions in the past: 

Conjugation

Yo iba

Tú ibas

Él/Ella/Usted iba

Nosotros/as íbamos

Vosotros/as ibais (España)

Ustedes íban (Latinoamérica)

Ellos/Ellas iban

Why Spanish Has a Past Tense That English Doesn't

In English, there is no direct equivalent to the pretérito imperfecto of the Spanish verb "ir." Instead, English relies on two structures to express its meaning:
- "Went" (simple past) for completed actions.
- "Used to go" to indicate habitual actions in the past.
In Spanish, however, "iba, ibas, iba, íbamos, ibais, iban" specifically convey ongoing or repeated actions in the past without needing an extra phrase like "used to." This makes Spanish more precise in expressing past events.

For example:

• Cuando era niño, iba al concierto. →    When I was a child, I used to go to the concert.
• Íbamos al cine todos los sábados. → We used to go to the movies every Saturday.

English compensates with "used to," but Spanish has a built-in verb tense for habitual past actions!

Beyond formulas, feel the rhythm of Spanish and let yourself flow.

Comparing "Ir" in English vs. Spanish

English follows predictable conjugation (go/went/gone), but Spanish requires learning irregular patterns.
Additionally, Spanish frequently uses "ir + a + infinitive" to express the future:
Examples:

• Voy a estudiar español.      (I’m going to study Spanish.)
• Voy a comprar un carro.     (I’m going to buy a car)

Wrapping Up

Mastering "ir" is essential for navigating everyday Spanish conversations. Although irregular, its patterns become second nature with practice.So, keep exploring, apply what you’ve learned, and embrace the rhythm of Spanish.We got to the finish line—thanks for your curiosity, your time, and most of all, your willingness to see things through.

Original content. © 2025 Tutorrizo.All rights reserved