SPAN2001 · Grammar & communication

Three ways to talk about future actions

Look at the same action. What changes when we use querer, pensar or ir a?

visitar Madrid
querer + infinitivo
Quiero visitar Madrid.
I want to visit Madrid.
DESIRE
pensar + infinitivo
Pienso visitar Madrid.
I’m planning / intending to visit Madrid.
INTENTION
ir a + infinitivo
Voy a visitar Madrid.
I’m going to visit Madrid.
PLAN / FUTURE ACTION
Same action, different meaning.
Click the cards to reveal the examples.
1 · QUERER

QUERER + infinitivo

Quiero aprender italiano.
DESIRE

We use querer + infinitive to say what we want to do.

Quiero viajar a Japón.
Queremos aprender a bailar.
Ana quiere vivir en Barcelona.
What does Quiero vivir en Madrid express?
2 · PENSAR

PENSAR + infinitivo

Pienso hacer un curso de fotografía.
INTENTION

We use pensar + infinitive to talk about something we intend or plan to do.

Pienso viajar este verano.
Pensamos buscar un piso nuevo.
Marta piensa estudiar en México.
Carlos piensa aprender chino el próximo año.
What does this tell us?
3 · IR A

IR A + infinitivo

Voy a estudiar esta noche.
PLAN / FUTURE ACTION

We use ir a + infinitive to talk about future plans and actions.

Voy a cenar con mis amigos.
Vamos a viajar a Sevilla.
Laura va a empezar un nuevo trabajo.
Mañana voy a visitar a mis abuelos.
What is Pablo talking about?
Compare

Same action, different meaning

viajar a Argentina
Quiero viajar a Argentina.
DESIRE
I want to travel to Argentina.
Pienso viajar a Argentina.
INTENTION
I’m planning / intending to travel to Argentina.
Voy a viajar a Argentina.
PLAN / FUTURE ACTION
I’m going to travel to Argentina.
Structure Main idea
querer + infinitivo what you want to do
pensar + infinitivo what you intend to do
ir a + infinitivo what you are going to do
Click each sentence to reveal its meaning.
Practice

Choose the best expression

1. You really want to learn Korean one day.
______ aprender coreano.
2. You intend to look for a summer job.
______ buscar trabajo este verano.
3. You already have tickets for Madrid this weekend.
______ viajar a Madrid este fin de semana.
4. You love Italian and would like to study it someday.
______ estudiar italiano.
5. You are thinking of doing an exchange programme next year.
______ hacer un intercambio el año que viene.

Now talk about yourself

Quiero ________________________________.
Pienso ________________________________.
Voy a ________________________________.

Compare your answers with a partner.

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