Quick review
IR and SALIR:
Which preposition?
We have seen expressions such as ir al cine, ir de compras, salir a cenar and salir con amigos. Why do we use a, de or con?
Good news: for the expressions we are learning now, there are a few simple patterns that can help you.
Pattern 1
IR A + place / event
IR A tells us where you go or what event you go to.
ir a la playa
to go to the beach
ir al museo
to go to the museum
ir a un concierto
to go to a concert
ir a una exposición
to go to an exhibition
ir al cine
to go to the cinema
ir al teatro
to go to the theatre
Remember: a + el = al. For example: a + el museo → al museo.
Pattern 2
IR DE + activity
IR DE tells us what kind of activity you go out to do.
ir de compras
to go shopping
ir de excursión
to go on an excursion / trip
Think: What activity are you doing?
Compare
IR A or IR DE?
IR A
Destination or event
- ir al museo
- ir a la playa
- ir a un concierto
Where are you going?
What are you going to?
IR DE
Activity
- ir de compras
- ir de excursión
What activity are you doing?
Do not think simply “a = concrete” and “de = abstract”. It is more useful to remember these expressions as patterns.
Pattern 3
SALIR A + infinitive
SALIR A + verb = to go out to do something
salir a cenar
to go out for dinner / to go out to have dinner
salir a bailar
to go out dancing
Easy clue: after a, we have an infinitive: cenar, bailar…
Question: What do you go out to do?
Question: What do you go out to do?
A useful expression
SALIR DE NOCHE
salir de noche = to go out at night
For now, learn salir de noche as one useful expression.
You will also see salir de + place with the meaning “to leave / come out of a place”: salir de casa (leave home), salir del trabajo (leave work). So we do not need one general “de = abstract” rule.
Pattern 4
SALIR CON + person / people
SALIR CON tells us who you go out with.
salir con amigos/as
to go out with friends
salir con mis compañeros/as
to go out with my classmates
Question: Who do you go out with?
Summary
Four simple patterns
| Expression | What comes next? | Basic idea | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| IR A | place / event | where / what event | Voy al cine. |
| IR DE | activity | what activity | Voy de compras. |
| SALIR A | infinitive | to do what | Salgo a cenar. |
| SALIR CON | person / people | with whom | Salgo con mis amigos. |
Also remember: salir de noche = to go out at night
Quick practice
A, DE or CON?
1. Voy al cine.
2. Vamos de compras.
3. Salgo a cenar.
4. Salgo con mis amigos.
5. Vamos a una exposición.
6. Salimos de noche.
2. Vamos de compras.
3. Salgo a cenar.
4. Salgo con mis amigos.
5. Vamos a una exposición.
6. Salimos de noche.
Click each blank to reveal the answer.
Remember
Ask the right question.
IR A → Where? / What event?
IR DE → What activity?
SALIR A + infinitive → To do what?
SALIR CON → With whom?
And learn salir de noche as a useful expression.