A movement can have an activity as its purpose.
The idea
After a verb of movement, use a and an infinitive to express the purpose: voy al parque a correr. A destination may come between the movement verb and a.
Examples
- Voy al parque a correr.I go to the park to run.
- Venimos a buscar la llave.We are coming to look for the key.
- Sale a comprar pan.They go out to buy bread.
- Vamos a la plaza a bailar.We go to the square to dance.
- Vuelvo a casa a descansar.I return home to rest.
- Van al mercado a vender flores.They go to the market to sell flowers.
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Watch out
Do not conjugate the second verb: salgo a comprar, not salgo a compro. With ir a and no destination, context can instead indicate a future plan.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option: Voy al río ___ nadar. (a / de)
Show answer or example answer
a
a introduces the purpose of going to the river.
Choose the correct option: Vienen a ___ la puerta. (reparar / reparan)
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reparar
reparar stays in the infinitive after the preposition.
Choose the correct option: Salimos ___ buscar agua. (a / en)
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a
a connects going out to the activity of looking for water.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Spanish sentences where available. We keep your score.
Choose the correct option: Voy al río ___ nadar. (a / de)
Choose the correct option: Vienen a ___ la puerta. (reparar / reparan)
Choose the correct option: Salimos ___ buscar agua. (a / en)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Say where you go and what activity you go there to do.