Learn ir conjugation in Pretérito Imperfecto step by step with detailed explanations

Image of ir conjugation in Pretérito Imperfecto

ir means: to go

In this lesson we will see how to conjugate the verb ir in the Pretérito Imperfecto tense of the Indicativo mood. It means we will see step by step how to get the following conjugation:

yo	iba	I went
tú	ibas	you went
él/ella/usted	iba	he/she/it went
nosotros/nosotras	íbamos	we went
vosotros/vosotras	ibais	you went
ellos/ellas/ustedes	iban	they went

This lesson is specifically about the ir verb conjugation. For an overview of all the Simple Tenses conjugation have a look at our Simple Tenses Conjugation Chart.

You may also see the Video Presentation on how to conjugate verbs in Pretérito Imperfecto. It’s embedded on the right, but using the above link you will get additional information on conjugation in this tense and explanation of special cases and exceptions.

How to translate Pretérito Imperfecto to English

Notice that the English phrases in the third column of the above conjugation chart are not direct translations from Spanish to English. They are usually the closest general equivalents. The example differences are:

In Spanish, there is the form usted in the third person singular. But this person does not translate to the English third person singular. It translates to the so called formal you and uses the inflected form which is most often represented as he/she/it in English conjugation charts.
Similar situation happens in the third person plural, where ustedes translates to the English plural formal you but uses the form which corresponds to the they form in English.
Tenses are used differently in Spanish and English, so the actual translation should always take into account the context and focus on translating the meaning, not just words.
In both languages each verb may have multiple meanings and not every meaning translates directly to the other language. Here also, the context and focusing on the particular meaning helps to create the most accurate translation.

Note the timeline

The ability to accurately locate the intended position on the timeline is an important skill for the right choice of tenses. So note the timeline in our lessons and visualize it while listening, speaking, reading or writing. After a bit practice you’ll be capable of selecting the right tense to use much easier. timeline preterito imperfecto how to conjugate spanish verbs

timeline preterito imperfecto how to conjugate spanish verbs

Step by step instructions

Pretérito Imperfecto belongs to the simple tenses group, which means that all of the conjugated forms are one word long. There are also compound (compuesto) tenses in Spanish language, where each conjugated verb form consists of two words.

The verb ir has an irregular conjugation in the Pretérito Imperfecto tense of the Indicativo mood.

The first person singular is irregular in this tense and needs to be learned by heart. It is iba:

yo iba

The second person singular is irregular in this tense and needs to be memorized. It is ibas:

tú ibas

The third person singular is irregular in this tense and needs to be learned by heart. It is iba:

él iba
ella iba
usted iba

The first person plural is irregular in this tense and needs to be learned by heart. It is íbamos:

nosotros íbamos
nosotras íbamos

The second person plural is irregular in this tense and needs to be learned by heart. It is ibais:

vosotros ibais
vosotras ibais

The third person plural is irregular in this tense and needs to be learned by heart. It is iban:

ellos iban
ellas iban
ustedes iban

¡Ya está! The conjugation is now complete. But don’t end your session yet – it is very important to repeat and practice the material in order to remember it. Check below for next steps.

Next Steps

To practice this conjugation and test your knowledge check this Conjugation Exercise or the Memory Game
To see other conjugation lessons for this verb choose another tense:
For exercises and examples related to ir visit our Exercise section
To see conjugation charts in all tenses for ir visit the Conjugator
To explore other learning materials visit the Study section