aller se coucher

Question

Another question! I have noticed in many sentences on the tests that you almost always use "aller"  in addition to a reflexive verb.(I'm NOT referring to the "futur proche.)
Ex:1) Nous avons décidé d'aller nous promener.  2) J'irai me coucher tôt ce soir.  
 Isn't "going" already in the verb - se promener = to go for/to take a walk, se coucher = to go to bed. Seems a bit redundant. Just wondering why?
It is correct without "aller", isn't it?
1) Nous avons décidé de nous promener. 2) Je me coucherai tôt ce soir.

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Barbara !
Yes, these sentences are correct without aller. In the case of Nous avons décidé d'aller  nous promener, it's more colloquial to use aller here, as it emphasises that the action of going for a walk is later in time than the moment of decision.Nous avons décidé de nous promener. feels a bit more immediate, i.e. We decided to have a walk  versus  to go for a walk.
I hope that's helpful!Bonne journée !