español · B1 · verb · 4 minutes
Ir in the imperfect
Express repeated journeys and movement already underway.
Understand the choice
Use iba forms for habitual journeys, intended movement, or movement already underway in the past. The verb is irregular but compact: iba, ibas, iba, íbamos, ibais, iban.
Core rule: Use iba forms for habitual, repeated, or in-progress movement in the past.
Notice it in context
Iba al mercado mientras mis hijos iban a la escuela.
I used to go to the market while my children went to school.
Use iba forms for habitual, repeated, or in-progress movement in the past.
Íbamos a la playa cada agosto.
We used to go to the beach every August.
Íbamos expresses a repeated past journey.
Ellos iban saliendo cuando llegué.
They were leaving when I arrived.
Iban + gerund shows movement in progress.
What to remember
- Íbamos alone carries a written accent in this series.
- A repeated-time phrase such as cada agosto strongly favors the imperfect.
Common trap: Do not write hiba: no form of ir begins with h. Also avoid adding an accent to iba, ibas, ibais, or iban.