Tengo que ir a la tienda

Question

I tried the ir versus irse exercise in the grammar section. I put in the above answer for "I have to go to the shops" and was told it was the correct answer as I had used "irme". However, I used "ir" not "irme". Am very confused.

It is a probably a typo, after all we're only human. :) Judging by your confusion over this discrepancy, it looks like you're on the right track :) - Manity, Feb 13, 2015

Do you have a link to the particular lesson? - rac1, Feb 13, 2015

http://www.spanishdict.com/topics/practice/108 - ukali, Feb 13, 2015

Thsnks for your help. It's appreciated. I have had a few blips like on the grammar section and it can be confusing. - ukali, Feb 13, 2015

Answer 1

Hello Ukali,

Welcome to the SpanishDict forum

You said:

I tried the ir versus irse exercise in the grammar section. I put in the above answer for "I have to go to the shops" and was told it was the correct answer as I had used "irme". However, I used "ir" not "irme". Am very confused.

I will try to explain the differences between the two verbs and the way that they are used:

Tengo que ir a las tiendas = I have to go to the shops This sentence uses the verb ir to go

Other examples: Tiene que ir de compras = He has to go shopping

o Tienen que hacer las compras =They have to do the shopping.

Tengo que irme = I have to leave This sentence uses the verb irse = To leave

When you use the verb ir = to go, you must indicate your destination, but when using the verb irse there is no such requirement so it is optional

You simply say Tengo que irme = I have to leave.

You can specfy a destination like in my example below:

Se va de la oficina ahora.= He is leaving the office now.

You can find a more detailed explanation in the SpanishDict grammar section so you can better familiarise yourself with the differences.. Here is a direct link enter link description here

I hope this helps

Corrijan mi español si necesario, por favor

So why did it tell me to use irme then, not ir? Was it a typo on the part of Spanish Dict? - ukali, Feb 13, 2015

I don't really know as I wasn't actaully there watching what you had written in the translator - FELIZ77, Feb 13, 2015

Answer 2

If you specify where you are going, use 'ir' as you did in 'Tengo que ir a la tienda' or 'Tengo que ir a comprar'. If you don't specify where you are going, then say 'Tengo que irme' (I have to go/leave.)

Tengo que ir DE compras :) - FELIZ77, Feb 13, 2015

Good answer, Raj, apart from the mistake above - - FELIZ77, Feb 13, 2015

So I was right, and the grammar section got it wrong? Thanks. - ukali, Feb 13, 2015

I have never seen ir a compra and it looks and sounds wrong to y ears after many years of speaking and writing Spanish. I could be wrong about this but I am 98% sure that ir a compra is incorrect! :) - FELIZ77, Feb 13, 2015

You can say: hacer ....La compra / Las compras or Ir DE compras :) - FELIZ77, Feb 13, 2015

self-correction: sounds wrong to My ears (sorry, typo) :) - FELIZ77, Feb 13, 2015

Answer 3

Okay in doing the exercise (direct cut and paste after answering):

Given both the spanish and english phrase, conjugate IR/IRSE to the correct form.

I have to go to the store. - Tengo que __ a la tienda.

¡Bien hecho! Because the action is focused on the leaving, you will use the irse form for yo which is irme.

Next question >>

A. irme

B. ir

I also chose "ir" (option B), and got it correct (I cut and pasted the above after I put in the answer), and fully believe it to be correct, as the answer by Feliz expounds. However I agree, the explanation that popped up seems completely wrong. My guess is that it is an error in the programming.

Thanks. Glad I haven't completely "lost the plot" - ukali, Feb 13, 2015

Bosque , when you say the 'explanation' given here, I am assuming you are referring to the sentence: "¡Bien hecho! Because the action is focused on the leaving, you will use the irse form for yo which is irme." I also believe that this explanation - FELIZ77, Feb 13, 2015

is wrong. - FELIZ77, Feb 13, 2015

Yes, that is what I was referring to. Clearly your answer is the correct explanation and answer. - bosquederoble, Feb 13, 2015