When we use the Spanish verbs ir, salir, and venir followed by the preposition a, we are expressing a purpose, the same way we use the preposition "para." For example:
Here, we could have used the preposition "a" with the same intention:
This is possible because the verb "ir" implies movement, the same way salir and venir do. Here are more examples:
Javier no está en casa. Ha salido a correr un rato.Javier is not home. He went out to run for a bit.
Using "a" is not correct in this context if the verb is a static verb, not implying movement. For example:
Estoy aquí para verte.
(I am here to see you.)
no movement - it doesn't allow "a"
He venido para/a verte.
(I came to see you.)
movement - it allows "a"
It can also be followed by "a que" to form a subordinate clause, using the subjunctive:
The sentences above also allow "para que" with the same meaning. Using "a" instead of "para" is more natural and slightly more colloquial.
See also verbs using the preposition a
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