Voy a descansar antes de estudiar.

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Breakdown of Voy a descansar antes de estudiar.

• descansar: to rest
• a: to
• ir: to go
• estudiar: to study
• antes de: before

Questions & Answers about Voy a descansar antes de estudiar.

Why do we use voy a descansar instead of a future tense like descansaré?

In Latin American Spanish (as well as in most Spanish dialects), using voy a + infinitive is the most common way to express the near future. It's very natural in everyday conversation and often sounds more immediate or casual than using the simple future tense (descansaré). Though descansaré is perfectly correct, voy a descansar is more frequently heard in spoken language.

Why is antes de followed by the infinitive estudiar?

When using expressions of time or sequence (such as antes de, después de, sin, para, etc.), Spanish grammar requires the infinitive form of the verb. This is similar to English expressions like before studying or after eating. In Spanish, however, you must keep the verb in the infinitive form (estudiar).

Can I omit yo and just say voy?

Yes. In Spanish, subject pronouns (like yo) are often omitted because the verb ending or the verb structure clarifies who is doing the action. Saying yo voy a descansar is not wrong; it just places extra emphasis on yo. In most everyday situations, it's simpler and completely acceptable to just say voy a descansar.

Do I need a reflexive form of the verb descansar?

No. Descansar is not typically used with a reflexive pronoun in this context. You might hear descansarse in some very specific dialects or contexts, but it’s far more common (and standard) to use descansar without a reflexive pronoun for the idea of resting.

Is there a difference between saying voy a descansar and me voy a descansar?

In general, me voy a descansar might be heard in some informal contexts where people use irse (to go away) alongside descansar. However, it's more common—and clearer—to say voy a descansar. If you say me voy a descansar, it can sound a bit like I'm leaving now to go rest or I'm taking off to rest, which is acceptable in casual speech but less standard.