Ir a, Acabar de, Volver a + Infinitive in Spanish

Ir a, Acabar de, Volver a | Rules

How do you use Acabar de infinitive?

Many useful expressions are formed by combining two verbs. When this occurs, the first verb is conjugated, while the second verb remains in the infinitive form.

e.g.

 – ir, caminar – (to go) (to walk)

Yo voy a caminar un poco – I’m going to walk a little

– acabar, trabajar – (to finish) (to work)

Tú acabaste de trabajar – You just finished working

 – saber, cantar – (to know) (to sing)

Lily sabe cantar –  Lily knows how to sing.

– volver, escribir – (to return) (to write)

Pedro vuelve a escribir un libro – Pedro writes a book again.

Note: One such expression combines the verb “ir” (conjugated) with an infinitive. The preposition “a” is always used.

The formula is:

Verb “ir” conjugated  + a + infinitive = to be going to do something (in the near future)

e.g.

Voy a llegar tarde – I’m going to be late.

Vas a enviar el paquete.- You are going to send the package.

Ella va a hablar con el chico.- She is going to talk to the boy.

Mami va a cocinar carne asada – Mummy is going to cook roast meat

 

– Here are some useful words and expressions for exactly when you are going to do something.

hoy – today

mañana – tomorrow

más tarde – later

esta tarde – this afternoon

la semana que viene – next week

el mes que viene – next month

el año que viene – next year

esta noche – tonight

mañana por la mañana – tomorrow morning

mañana por la tarde – tomorrow afternoon

mañana por la noche – tomorrow night

 

Acabar de + infinitive

Many useful expressions are formed by combining two verbs. When this occurs, the first verb is conjugated, while the second verb remains in the infinitive form.

Note: One such expression combines the verb “acabar” (conjugated) with an infinitive. The preposition “de” is always used.

 

The formula is:

Verb “acabar” conjugated + de + infinitive = to have just done something (in the very recent past)

e.g.

Acabo de llegar tarde. – I just arrived late.

Acabas de enviar el paquete. – You just sent the package.

Ella acaba de hablar con el chico.- She just talked to the boy.

Mami acaba de cocinar carne asada – Mummy just cooked roast meat

 

Volver a + infinitive

Many useful expressions are formed by combining two verbs. When this occurs, the first verb is conjugated, while the second verb remains in the infinitive form.

Note: One such expression combines the verb “volver” (conjugated) with an infinitive. The preposition “a” is always used.

The formula is:

Verb “volver” conjugated + a + infinitive = to do something again

e.g.

Vuelvo a quererte – I love you again

Paola vuelve a entrar – Paola re-enters

Nosotros volvemos a visitar la ciudad – We return to visit the city

 

Note: Remember, “volver” is an “o:ue” stem-changing verb.

Read more about the Spanish grammar

Acabar conjugation in Spanish