The future
aller + infinitive, and the futur simple.
French has two common ways to talk about the future.
aller + infinitive
The present of aller with an infinitive is the everyday future, for plans and for what's about to happen, like "going to".
- I'm going to eat.
- It's going to rain.
The futur simple
The futur simple adds the endings -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont to the infinitive. -re verbs drop their final e.
| parler | finir | vendre | |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | parlerai | finirai | vendrai |
| tu | parleras | finiras | vendras |
| il | parlera | finira | vendra |
| nous | parlerons | finirons | vendrons |
| vous | parlerez | finirez | vendrez |
| ils | parleront | finiront | vendront |
The endings are those of avoir's present. Common verbs have their own stems, with the same endings:
| Verb | Stem | Verb | Stem |
|---|---|---|---|
| être | ser- | avoir | aur- |
| aller | ir- | faire | fer- |
| pouvoir | pourr- | vouloir | voudr- |
| venir | viendr- | voir | verr- |
| devoir | devr- | savoir | saur- |
| envoyer | enverr- | falloir | faudr- (il faudra) |
It's used for predictions and promises, for plans further off, and in more formal speech and writing.
After quand and si
After quand "when" about the future, French uses the future where English uses the present: Quand j'aurai le temps, je t'appellerai, "When I have time, I'll call you". After si "if", it's the present, as in English: S'il pleut, on restera à la maison.
Cards from this guide
8 cardsEach card asks about one thing this guide teaches, and its back gives the answer with why and an example. They're reviewed with the rest of the Past, future and commands cards.
How do you say "I'm going to eat"?
Je vais manger.
How is the futur simple of a regular verb formed?
The infinitive + -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont.
What's the future stem of être?
ser-: je serai.
What's the future of aller with elle?
elle ira.
Which tense follows quand for a future event?
The future: Quand j'aurai le temps, je viendrai.
Which tense follows si in S'il pleut, on restera à la maison?
The present after si, the future in the other half.
What are the future stems of pouvoir and vouloir?
pourr- and voudr-.
What's the future of il faut?
il faudra.