Learn French future tense and talk using it is very important in French. We talk about the future to explain our plans, make promises, organize a day, or be polite.
So Let’s learn.
The near future: an action that will happen soon
Definition of the near future
The near future is used to talk about an action that will happen very soon or a plan that is already decided.
English equivalent: going to
Formation
Aller (présent) + infinitif
| Personne | Aller (présent) | Infinitif | Translation | ||
| je | vais | travailler | I’m going to work | ||
| tu | vas | manger | You are going to eat | ||
| il / elle | va | partir | She is going to leave | ||
| nous | allons | voyager | We are going to travel | ||
| vous | allez | étudier | You are going to study | ||
| ils / elles | vont | arriver | They are going to come |
Exemples (FR / EN)
- FR : Je vais travailler demain.
EN : I am going to work tomorrow. - FR : Nous allons visiter un musée.
EN : We are going to visit a museum. - FR : Il va pleuvoir.
EN : It is going to rain.
A2 tips for the near future
If you can say soon, tonight, tomorrow, the near future is often used.
The simple future tense: talking about the more distant future
Definition of the simple future tense
The simple future is used to talk about a more distant future, a promise, or a prediction.
English equivalent : will
Formation
Infinitif + terminaison
| Example : parler | ||
| je | -ai | je parlerai |
| tu | -as | tu parleras |
| il / elle | -a | il parlera |
| nous | -ons | nous parlerons |
| vous | -ez | vous parlerez |
| ils / elles | -ont | ils parleront |
Some common irregular verbs
| Verb | Futur |
| Être – to be | je serai |
| Avoir – to have | j’aurai |
| Aller – to go | j’irai |
| Faire – to do | je ferai |
Examples (FR / EN)
- FR : Plus tard, je vivrai en France.
EN : Later, I will live in France. - FR : Elle sera médecin.
EN : She will be a doctor. - FR : Je t’aiderai.
EN : I will help you.
Near future or simple future?
Comparison table
| Situation | Temps | Exemple FR | Example EN |
| Action proche | Futur proche | Je vais partir | I am going to leave |
| Projet décidé | Futur proche | Nous allons étudier | We are going to study |
| Futur lointain | Futur simple | Je travaillerai l’année prochaine | I will work next year |
| Promesse | Futur simple | Je ferai attention | I will be careful |
The future tense is also used for politeness.
In French, the future tense is often used to be polite, especially in formal situations. This makes the sentence softer and more respectful.
Examples de politesse (FR / EN)
- FR : J’aimerai vous demander un renseignement.
EN : I would like to ask you a question. - FR : Vous voudrez bien patienter.
EN : Please wait. - FR : Vous fermerez la porte.
EN : You will close the door. - FR : Je vous prierai de ne pas fumer
- EN : I kindly ask you not to smoke.
Example of A2 text
FR
L’année prochaine, je continuerai mes études. J’apprendrai le français sérieusement. Plus tard, je travaillerai dans le tourisme. Je serai guide. Cet été, je vais voyager avec mes amis. Nous allons visiter plusieurs villes. Je vous écrirai pour vous donner des nouvelles.
EN
Next year, I will continue my studies. I will learn French seriously. Later, I will work in tourism. I will be a guide. This summer, I am going to travel with my friends. We are going to visit several cities. I will write to you to give you some news.
Final summary table
| Use | Tenses | Exemple FR | Example EN |
| Projet proche | Futur proche | Je vais partir | I’m going to leave |
| Futur lointain | Futur simple | Je partirai | I will leave |
| Politesse | Futur simple | Je vous dirai | I would tell you |
Exercices near future and future tenses (FR / EN)
Exercice 1 – Choisis le bon temps
Choose the correct tense
- Demain, je ______ (aller / voir) le médecin.
Tomorrow, I ______ see the doctor. - Plus tard, nous ______ (vivre) à la campagne.
Later, we ______ live in the countryside. - Attention ! Tu ______ (tomber).
Watch out! You ______ fall.
Exercice 2 – Futur proche
Near future
- Je ______ (faire) mes devoirs.
I ______ do my homework. - Nous ______ (partir) en vacances.
We ______ go on vacation.
Exercice 3 – Futur simple
Simple future
- Je ______ (voyager) en Europe.
I ______ travel in Europe. - Elle ______ (être) contente.
She ______ be happy.
Exercice 4 – Politesse
Politeness
- Je ______ (vous / envoyer) un email.
I ______ send you an email. - Je ______ (revenir) demain.
I ______ come back tomorrow.
Corrections (FR / EN)
Exercice 1
- vais voir – am going to see
- vivrons – will live
- vas tomber – are going to fall
Exercice 2
- vais faire – am going to do
- allons partir – are going to leave
Exercice 3
- voyagerai – will travel
- sera – will be
Exercice 4
- vous enverrai – will send (polite)
- reviendrai – will come back (polite)
Conclusion
That’s it! Now the future has no more secrets for you 😉 You are going to talk about your plans, you will talk about your dreams, and you will be polite in French like a pro. Keep practicing, make mistakes, and have fun: the French of the future starts today!
Do you want to revise French verbs groups, board here.
Julie