"Iba ser" vs "Iba a ser"

Question

I have a friend from Mexico who swears up and down that "was going to be" is simply "iba ser" and not "iba a ser". I thought maybe it was just that it was the two A's going together, but he also said it is "iban ser" and not "iban a ser".

Estoy confundida. Siempre pensaba que se necesita "a" entre "ir" y el inifinitivo. ¿Significa algo diferente "ser + infinitivo" sin "a"?

Answer 1

Iba ser is incorrect. Ir should always be followed by a. I think that, being a Native, he simply speaks fast or swallows up some words. That happens whenever you speak very fast in any language. It is the same case as "Gracias". Some Natives simply pronounce "Gracia". It is all a matter of pronunciation, but in writing, it is Iba a ser.

Answer 2

You are right, Luciente. "Iba ser" is not correct. People pronounce "Iba a ser" as "iba-ser", but it does not mean it is written that way!