Using ir a + infinitive with the imperfect and preterite Preview Using ir a + infinitive with the imperfect and preterite

Using ir a + infinitive with the imperfect and preterite You can use ir in the imperfect followed by a and an infinitive to say what someone was going to do or what was going to happen. Elena y yo íbamos a ir de compras… Elena and I were going to go shopping . . . No iba a comprar nada… I wasn’t going to buy anything . . . Iba a llamarte ayer… I was going to call you yesterday . . .

Using ir a + infinitive with the imperfect and preterite To complete sentences such as these, use another verb in the past. Use the preterite to say what happened instead, or what interrupted the plans.

Using ir a + infinitive with the imperfect and preterite Elena y yo íbamos a ir de compras pero ella tuvo que estudiar. Elena and I were going to go shopping, but she had to study. No iba a comprar nada pero me dieron un descuento. I wasn’t going to buy anything, but they gave me a discount. Iba a llamarte ayer pero llegué a casa demasiado tarde. I was going to call you yesterday, but I got home too late.

Using ir a + infinitive with the imperfect and preterite Use the imperfect to give more background information. Iban a visitar el mercado pero estaban muy cansados. They were going to visit the market, but they were too tired.