Using Cómo/dónde/quién/qué + ir a + infinitive to state the obvious/impossible Flashcards

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1
Q

Instead of indicating an action in the future, Ir a + infinitive can be used to express

A reaction to this could be:

A

“obviousness” when it is used with cómo, dónde, quién or qué, generally in an interrogative or an exclamatory sentence.

This construction is often used in colloquial Spanish when someone makes a comment and we reply to express that what was just said is evident, absurd or simply obvious.

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2
Q

How could she miss the train, when she arrived at the station half an hour early?

A

¿Cómo va a perder el tren, si ha llegado a la estación media hora antes?

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3
Q

I wonder where Antonio could be.

A

Me pregunto dónde estará Antonio.

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4
Q

Where is he going to be? Obviously at his girlfriend’s house as usual.

A

¿Dónde va a estar? Pues, en casa de su novia como siempre.

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5
Q

Why should there be anything wrong? [Lit: What is going to happen?] There is nothing wrong at all.

A

¡Qué iba a pasar! Nada, no pasa nada.

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6
Q

Nobody knew about Belén’s pregnancy.

A

Nadie sabía lo del embarazo de Belén.

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7
Q

Who could have known when she hid it so well!

Using ir in either El Presente or El Pretérito Imperfecto (va a …, iba a …) is not related to whether the idea is something to do with the present, the past or the future.

A

¡Quién lo iba a saber con lo bien que lo ha disimulado!

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8
Q

Of course they support them! It’s their duty.

A

¡Cómo no iba a apoyarlos! Es su obligación.

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