B1 French GrammarFuture Tense
Express future actions in French using the futur simple, futur proche (aller + infinitive), and understand when to use each.
1Futur Proche (Near Future)
The futur proche uses aller + infinitive. It expresses near future or planned actions.
Futur Proche Formation
| Person | Aller | Infinitive | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | vais | manger | I'm going to eat |
| tu | vas | partir | you're going to leave |
| il/elle | va | venir | he/she is going to come |
| nous | allons | travailler | we're going to work |
Examples
Je vais partir demain.
I'm going to leave tomorrow.
near future plan
Il va pleuvoir.
It's going to rain.
imminent event
Nous allons manger au restaurant.
We're going to eat at a restaurant.
planned action
Tu vas voir, c'est super!
You'll see, it's great!
confident prediction
2Futur Simple Formation
The futur simple adds endings to the infinitive (or irregular stem). Endings: -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont.
Futur Simple Endings
| Person | Ending | Parler | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | -ai | parlerai | I will speak |
| tu | -as | parleras | you will speak |
| il/elle | -a | parlera | he/she will speak |
| nous | -ons | parlerons | we will speak |
| vous | -ez | parlerez | you will speak |
| ils/elles | -ont | parleront | they will speak |
Examples
Je parlerai avec lui demain.
I will speak with him tomorrow.
regular -er verb
Nous finirons à 18 heures.
We will finish at 6 PM.
regular -ir verb
Tu comprendras plus tard.
You will understand later.
regular -re verb
Ils arriveront lundi.
They will arrive on Monday.
scheduled event
3Irregular Futur Simple Stems
Some common verbs have irregular future stems. The endings remain the same.
Irregular Stems
| Verb | Stem | Example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| être | ser- | je serai | I will be |
| avoir | aur- | j'aurai | I will have |
| aller | ir- | j'irai | I will go |
| faire | fer- | je ferai | I will do/make |
| pouvoir | pourr- | je pourrai | I will be able |
| venir | viendr- | je viendrai | I will come |
Examples
Je serai là à 8 heures.
I will be there at 8 o'clock.
être → ser-
Nous aurons le temps.
We will have time.
avoir → aur-
Elle fera le ménage.
She will do the cleaning.
faire → fer-
Ils viendront demain.
They will come tomorrow.
venir → viendr-
4Futur Proche vs Futur Simple
Futur proche is for near/planned events; futur simple for more distant future, formal contexts, or predictions.
Usage Comparison
| Futur Proche | Futur Simple |
|---|---|
| Immediate future | Distant future |
| Certain plans | Predictions |
| Informal speech | Formal writing |
| Near certainty | Less certainty |
Examples
Je vais appeler maintenant.
I'm going to call now.
immediate: futur proche
Un jour, je voyagerai en Asie.
One day, I will travel to Asia.
distant: futur simple
Demain, il pleuvra.
Tomorrow, it will rain.
formal prediction
Je vais t'aider!
I'm going to help you!
spontaneous decision