A1 · Beginner Chapter 22

Getting Started with Future and Polite Speech

6 Total Rules
60 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of planning your future and speaking with elegant French politeness.

  • Express immediate plans using the Futur Proche.
  • Softens requests using the Conditionnel Présent.
  • Navigate social scenarios with confidence and respect.
Plan your path and speak with grace.

What You'll Learn

Hey there, future French speaker! Ready to take a big leap in your conversations? Don't worry, this chapter is easier than you think, and it's going to be super exciting! Here, we'll learn how to talk about your immediate plans effortlessly. For example, how to say "I'm going to the park or He's going to eat." You'll do this using the Futur Proche tense, which isn't hard at all! You just need to know the verb aller (to go). After that, we'll dive into the magical world of polite speech. French people are very sensitive about politeness and respect in their conversations. Imagine you want to ask someone for something, or order a coffee at a cafe; if you don't say it politely, it might be misunderstood! This is where the Conditionnel Présent comes to your rescue. You'll learn how to soften your words and make them respectful by adding a simple I would like... or Could I... First, we'll learn the structure of this tense together, including its irregular verbs which are very common (like Je voudrais meaning I would like). Then you'll see how you can use this way of speaking for polite questions or even talking about things in your imagination. For example,

If I were rich, I would buy a big house!
By finishing this chapter, you'll be able to talk about your near future with ease and, most importantly, speak politely and respectfully in various social situations, just like a true French speaker. You'll never feel shy asking for things again! Let's get started!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use 'aller' + infinitive to describe your plans for today.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome, future French speaker! Get ready to unlock some truly essential communication skills in this exciting chapter. We’re diving into two powerful areas of French grammar that will significantly boost your confidence and fluency, perfect for your A1 French journey. First, we’ll tackle the French Near Future (known as Futur Proche). This isn't a complex tense at all, but it’s incredibly useful for talking about immediate plans, like "I'm going to eat" or "We're going to study." You'll be amazed at how quickly you can master it!
Next, we'll explore the magical world of polite speech using the Conditionnel Présent. This is where you learn to say things like "I would like" or "Could you?" – crucial for respectful interactions in France. Understanding polite requests in French is key to navigating daily situations, from ordering a coffee to asking for directions. French culture highly values politeness, and mastering these structures will make you sound much more natural and considerate.
By the end of this guide, you’ll not only be able to express your near-future plans with ease but also confidently make polite French requests and even talk about imaginary situations. These are fundamental building blocks for anyone learning French grammar, and you’ll find yourself using them constantly. Let's make your French conversations smoother and more respectful!

How This Grammar Works

Let's break down the two core grammar points in this chapter, starting with the easy-to-master French Near Future (Futur Proche). This structure is used to talk about actions that are going to happen very soon. It's formed by using the present tense of the verb aller (to go) followed by the infinitive of the action verb. For example, to say "I am going to eat," you'd combine je vais (I go) with manger (to eat) to get Je vais manger (I am going to eat). Simple, right? Similarly, Nous allons regarder un film (We are going to watch a film) or Elle va étudier (She is going to study). This makes talking about your immediate plans a breeze!
Now, let's move on to the Conditionnel Présent, which is your go-to for polite requests and imaginary scenarios. This tense translates to "would" or "could" in English. To form the regular Conditionnel Présent, you generally take the infinitive form of the verb and add the imperfect endings: -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient. So, for parler (to speak), it becomes Je parlerais (I would speak). However, there are common French Irregular Conditional stems that you absolutely need to know, especially for verbs like être (to be) which becomes ser- (e.g., Je serais - I would be), avoir (to have) which becomes aur- (e.g., J'aurais - I would have), and the all-important vouloir (to want) which becomes voudr-. This is how we get Je voudrais (I would like), the cornerstone of polite requests in French. You'll also use pourrais (could) from pouvoir (to be able to) and devrais (should) from devoir (to have to) for polite questions and advice. For imaginary situations (L'irréel), you might say Si j'étais riche, j'achèterais une voiture de sport (If I were rich, I would buy a sports car). Mastering these will make your French sound much more sophisticated and polite.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Je mange" pour ce soir.
✓ Correct: Je vais manger ce soir. (I am going to eat tonight.)
*Explanation:* For future plans, especially immediate ones, you need to use the Futur Proche (aller + infinitive). "Je mange" is present tense ("I eat").
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Je veux un café."
✓ Correct: Je voudrais un café. (I would like a coffee.)
*Explanation:* While "Je veux" means "I want," it can sound very direct or even impolite in French. Using Je voudrais (I would like), the Conditionnel Présent of vouloir, is the polite and expected way to make requests.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Si j'ai du temps, j'irais au cinéma."
✓ Correct: Si j'avais du temps, j'irais au cinéma. (If I had time, I would go to the cinema.)
*Explanation:* For imaginary situations (L'irréel) where the condition is unlikely or contrary to fact, French uses the imperfect tense in the "if" clause (Si j'avais) and the Conditionnel Présent in the main clause (j'irais).

Real Conversations

A

A

Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire ce week-end ? (What are you going to do this weekend?)
B

B

Je vais visiter Paris avec des amis. Et toi ? (I am going to visit Paris with friends. And you?)
A

A

Excusez-moi, est-ce que je pourrais avoir l'addition, s'il vous plaît ? (Excuse me, could I have the bill, please?)
B

B

Bien sûr, la voici. Vous voudriez autre chose ? (Of course, here it is. Would you like anything else?)
A

A

Si tu étais un animal, lequel serais-tu ? (If you were an animal, which one would you be?)
B

B

Je serais un chat, je pense. J'aimerais dormir toute la journée ! (I would be a cat, I think. I would like to sleep all day!)

Quick FAQ

Q

How do I form the French near future tense for beginners?

The Futur Proche is formed by conjugating the verb aller (to go) in the present tense, followed by the infinitive of the main verb. For example, Tu vas regarder (You are going to watch).

Q

What's the main difference between "je veux" and "je voudrais" in French?

"Je veux" means "I want" and is direct. "Je voudrais" means "I would like" and is the polite request in French, using the Conditionnel Présent. Always use "je voudrais" in polite situations like ordering.

Q

Are there many irregular verbs in the French conditional?

Yes, there are several common irregular verbs whose stems change in the Conditionnel Présent, such as être (ser-), avoir (aur-), faire (fer-), aller (ir-), vouloir (voudr-), pouvoir (pourr-), and devoir (devr-).

Q

When should I use the conditional for imaginary situations in French?

You use the Conditionnel Présent to talk about hypothetical or imaginary situations, often paired with an "if" clause in the imperfect tense. For example, Si j'avais le temps, je voyagerais. (If I had the time, I would travel.)

Cultural Context

In France, politeness isn't just a nicety; it's deeply ingrained in communication. Using the Conditionnel Présent for requests (Je voudrais, Pourriez-vous) shows respect and consideration, making your interactions much smoother. It's a subtle but powerful way to integrate into French culture. Always err on the side of politeness, especially with strangers or in formal settings. This grammatical choice demonstrates good manners and an understanding of social etiquette, which is highly valued.

Key Examples (8)

1

Je vais regarder un film sur Netflix ce soir.

I am going to watch a movie on Netflix tonight.

French Near Future: I am going to... (Futur Proche)
2

Tu vas poster cette photo sur Instagram ?

Are you going to post this photo on Instagram?

French Near Future: I am going to... (Futur Proche)
3

Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.

I would like a coffee, please.

Polite Requests & 'Would' (Conditionnel Présent)
4

On pourrait se voir ce week-end ?

Could we see each other this weekend?

Polite Requests & 'Would' (Conditionnel Présent)
5

Je voudrais un café, s'il vous plaît.

I would like a coffee, please.

French Irregular Conditional: Would, Could & Should Stems
6

Est-ce que tu pourrais m'envoyer le lien ?

Could you send me the link?

French Irregular Conditional: Would, Could & Should Stems
7

Je voudrais un café au lait, s'il vous plaît.

I would like a coffee with milk, please.

Polite Requests in French: Using the Conditional (Je voudrais)
8

Pourriez-vous me donner le code WiFi ?

Could you give me the WiFi code?

Polite Requests in French: Using the Conditional (Je voudrais)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Keep it simple

Don't overthink the future. If it's happening soon, just use 'aller' + infinitive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Near Future: I am going to... (Futur Proche)
⚠️

The 'Si' Trap

Never use the conditional directly after 'si'. Say 'Si j'avais' (If I had), NOT 'Si j'aurais'.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Polite Requests & 'Would' (Conditionnel Présent)
💡

The 'Future' Trick

If you know the future stem, you know the conditional stem. They are always the same!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Irregular Conditional: Would, Could & Should Stems
💡

The Golden Rule

Always add 's'il vous plaît' to your conditional requests.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Polite Requests in French: Using the Conditional (Je voudrais)

Key Vocabulary (5)

aller to go vouloir to want pouvoir to be able to s'il vous plaît please imaginer to imagine

Real-World Preview

coffee

Ordering at a Cafe

Review Summary

  • Aller (present) + Infinitive
  • Infinitive + -ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient

Common Mistakes

After 'aller', you must keep the verb in its infinitive form (ending in -er).

Wrong: Je vais mange.
Correct: Je vais manger.

'Je veux' is direct and can sound demanding. Use 'Je voudrais' to be polite.

Wrong: Je veux un café.
Correct: Je voudrais un café.

Imaginary 'if' clauses require the conditional tense in the result clause.

Wrong: Si j'étais riche, je voyage.
Correct: Si j'étais riche, je voyagerais.

Next Steps

You've made incredible progress in this chapter! Keep practicing your polite phrases, and you'll be speaking like a native in no time.

Practice ordering imaginary meals with a friend

Continue to: Sharing Ideas, Dreams, and Possibilities

Quick Practice (10)

Choose the correct infinitive form.

Nous allons ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: manger
The infinitive is 'manger'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Near Future: I am going to... (Futur Proche)

Fill in the blank.

Je ___ un café.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: b
Conditional is needed for politeness.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Polite Requests in French: Using the Conditional (Je voudrais)

Which is the correct conditional form of 'avoir' (Nous)?

Nous ___ un chien.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: aurions
Stem 'aur-' + ending '-ions'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Irregular Conditional: Would, Could & Should Stems

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Je veux une table pour deux.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je voudrais une table pour deux.
Conditional is required.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Polite Questions: Using the Conditional (Voudrais, Pourriez)

Select the correct form.

Si j'avais de l'argent, je ___ (voyager).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: voyagerais
Hypothetical.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imaginary Situations (L'irréel)

Conjugate 'manger'.

Je ___ (manger) une pomme.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mangerais
Conditional ending.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Imaginary Situations (L'irréel)

Conjugate 'être' in the conditional (Je).

Je ___ là.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: serais
Stem 'ser-' + ending '-ais'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Irregular Conditional: Would, Could & Should Stems

Complete the sentence.

Je ___ un café.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: voudrais
Conditional is polite.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Polite Questions: Using the Conditional (Voudrais, Pourriez)

Which is more polite?

A: Je veux de l'eau. B: Je voudrais de l'eau.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: B
Conditional is polite.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Polite Questions: Using the Conditional (Voudrais, Pourriez)

Which is the future tense?

Je ___ (manger).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mangerai
Future tense ends in -ai.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Polite Requests & 'Would' (Conditionnel Présent)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Yes, if you feel the plan is certain or personal. It's very flexible.
Because it's typically used for events that are 'close' in time or 'close' to the speaker's intention.
It's softer and more polite. 'Je veux' sounds like a demand.
It is a mood, though it functions like a tense in many contexts.
It's a historical evolution; both tenses developed from the infinitive + 'habere'.
No, only for hypothesis, politeness, and future-in-the-past.
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Conditions and Delegating Actions
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Sharing Ideas, Dreams, and Possibilities
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