Ir a, Acabar de, Volver a | Rules
How do you use Acabar de infinitive?
Read about how to use ir a, acabar de, volver a in Spanish. Learn to apply Spanish grammar rules with online lessons. Learn more about helpful tips on how to improve your language.
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
