Ir + infinitive: Portuguese future plans and exercises

Short answer: change ir and keep the infinitive

In “vou estudar”, vou changes with the person while estudar remains an infinitive. For “nós”, say “vamos estudar”; for “ela”, “vai estudar”. The structure expresses intentions and future events in many contexts. Do not restrict it to the next few minutes: surrounding context and time expressions help locate the intended action.

The CEFR supplies the general A2 communication framework, while Referencial Camões PLE organises learning content. The sentences and tasks here are our editorial choices. They cover neither the entire Portuguese future system nor an official examination format. The aim is a short message whose intention a listener or reader can understand.

Person and negation: the first verb changes

Practise “eu vou”, “tu vais”, “ele ou ela vai”, “nós vamos” and “eles ou elas vão”, followed by the intended infinitive. You cannot make “nós vamos estudar” by changing only eu to nós in “eu vou estudar”. Change ir and retain the second verb. Read two examples for each person aloud before adding detail.

To negate the simple structure presented here, put não before ir: “Não vou trabalhar amanhã”; “Eles não vão sair”. Do not conjugate the infinitive too, as in “vou estudo”. That mixes two forms and obscures the message. Once the structure works with one familiar verb, introduce another rather than memorising a long action list at once.

Vou estudar and vou à escola have different structures

In “vou estudar”, ir helps present a future action. In “vou à escola”, it expresses movement towards a destination. Look at what follows: an infinitive or a place expression. A future sentence can still contain a location: in “vou estudar na biblioteca”, estudar remains the main activity being planned.

The future examples here do not insert a between vou and estudar. “Vou à escola”, however, contains a preposition connected to the destination. Learning both as meaningful blocks avoids adding or removing letters just because the sentences look alike. First explain whether the character is describing an activity or a movement to somewhere.

Tomorrow or next week: give the plan context

“Vou enviar a mensagem” can be insufficiently precise when someone needs a time. Add “amanhã de manhã” or “até às quinze” if that reflects your intention. Ask “Vais estudar amanhã?” or “A que horas vamos começar?” A useful question requests information that has not already been made clear in the exchange.

A plan alone does not confirm another person’s availability. “Vou visitar a escola na quinta-feira” expresses the character’s intention; “Podemos marcar a visita para quinta-feira?” requests an arrangement. A partner may accept or suggest another day. During practice, record the initial proposal separately from what the participants actually agree at the end.

• Apply planned actions to work messages

Exercises with answers: person, negation and meaning

Complete “Eu ___ preparar o jantar”; “Nós ___ estudar amanhã”; “Ela não ___ trabalhar no sábado”; “Eles ___ telefonar à tarde”. Answers: vou, vamos, vai and vão. The infinitive remains unchanged in each sentence. Correct “Nós vou estudar” to “Nós vamos estudar” and explain which grammatical information required that change.

Now turn “Vou enviar a lista hoje” into a question about tu: “Vais enviar a lista hoje?” Negate the original: “Não vou enviar a lista hoje.” That negative statement does not automatically tell the listener when the list will be sent. If the timing matters, add a follow-up such as “Quando vais enviar a lista?”

Practise yesterday, today and tomorrow distinctly

Create a character and write one sentence about yesterday, one about today and one about tomorrow: “Ontem estudei. Hoje estou em casa. Amanhã vou trabalhar.” Each has a different function. Ask a partner to change one detail and respond with a question. A long story is unnecessary to check whether the time references are clear.

Use the yesterday guide for completed actions and work messages for time-specific proposals. The appointment audio practises following a changed plan. General A2 exercises offer comprehension with explanations; seek human feedback to assess your own production. A multiple-choice result alone cannot confirm mastery of every tense or of spontaneous spoken interaction.

• Compare yesterday’s actions with tomorrow’s plans

Sources and scope of this guide

Official sources support the stated legal, language and certification facts. Plans, examples and checklists are independent editorial suggestions, not instructions from an authority.

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