Van a viajar a España.
They’re going to travel to Spain.72.1.2 Imperfect of ir+a+ infinitive
If we refer to future plans and intentions in relation to some moment in the past, we
need to use the imperfect of ir. 20.2 (p. 97); 17.3.2 (p. 74); 17.3 (p. 74)
Mi padre iba a escribir una carta cuando Julio llamó.
My father was going to write a letter when Julio called.
Íbamos a ver una obra de teatro.
We were going to see a play.
Iban a hacer la compra.
They were going to do the shopping.To show hesitancy with regard to future plans, or willingness to alter them, we also use
the imperfect.
¿Qué vas a hacer?
What are you going to do?
Iba a ver la televisión.
I was going to watch television.
Iba a dormir la siesta.
I was going to have a nap.72.1.3 Present/imperfect of pensar+ infinitive
Pensar+ infinitive, ‘to be thinking of’+ gerund (i.e. words like ‘speaking’, ‘eating’) is
also normally used in the present or the imperfect, depending on whether we are
referring to future plans or intentions in relation to the present or the past. 17.3.2 (p. 74)
¿Qué piensas hacer?
What do you intend to do?
Pienso escribir un libro.
I intend to write a book./I’m thinking of writing a book.
Pensamos mudarnos de casa.
We intend to move house./We’re thinking of moving house.
¿Piensas ir a alguna parte?
Do you mean to go somewhere?Pensaba ver una película.
I was planning to watch/thinking of watching a film.
Pensábamos cenar aquí.
We were planning to have/thinking of having dinner here.Expressing plans and intentions 72.1