A2 · Elementary Chapter 6

Talking About the Future

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

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Unlock your French future by mastering the tools to describe your dreams, plans, and upcoming adventures.

  • Conjugate regular verbs in the Futur Simple using the infinitive as a base.
  • Identify and memorize high-frequency irregular future stems like 'ser-' and 'aur-'.
  • Distinguish between the Near Future (Futur Proche) and Simple Future for natural conversation.
Your French journey doesn't stop today; plan for tomorrow!

What You'll Learn

Ever dreamed of telling someone in French about your big plans, your future adventures, or even just what you're doing this weekend? Well, get ready, because this chapter is all about unlocking your future! You’ve already tackled the basics, and now it’s time to level up your French to confidently express yourself about tomorrow, next year, or someday. We’re diving deep into the *Futur Simple* (Simple Future), your essential tool for saying what *will* happen. You’ll master how to attach those clever ‘avoir’-based endings to regular verbs, making future-telling a breeze. But wait, there’s a fun twist! A handful of super common verbs like *être*, *avoir*, *aller*, and *faire* (plus *venir*, *voir*, *pouvoir*) have their own unique “r” stems – think *ser-*, *aur-*, *ir-*, *fer-*, *viendr-*, *pourr-*, and *verr-*. Don't sweat it – we'll learn them together, and you’ll see how indispensable they are! Most importantly, you'll learn the crucial difference between *Futur Simple* and *Futur Proche* (Near Future). You’ll know precisely when to say “I’m going to do something soon” versus “I will do something someday.” Imagine confidently discussing your next vacation to the French Riviera, sharing your career ambitions, or simply telling a friend what you’ll eat tonight. With these skills, you won't just *say* you're doing something; you’ll express your future plans with authentic French flair, sounding more natural and totally ready for those deeper conversations. Let's make your French future-proof!

Learning Objectives

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

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: explain the concept of the Futur Simple and when it is used for formal or distant plans.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: conjugate regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs in the simple future with 100% accuracy.
  3. 3
    By the end you will be able to: recognize that some verbs change their stems while keeping the same future endings.
  4. 4
    By the end you will be able to: use the four most common irregular stems (être, avoir, aller, faire) in a spoken sentence.
  5. 5
    By the end you will be able to: differentiate between venir, voir, and pouvoir in future contexts.
  6. 6
    By the end you will be able to: choose correctly between Futur Proche and Futur Simple based on the timeline of the action.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome to your next big step in A2 French grammar! If you've ever wanted to discuss your plans, dreams, or simply what you're having for dinner next week, this chapter is your key. Mastering how to talk about the future is fundamental for any French language learner, allowing you to move beyond describing the present and past into the exciting realm of possibilities. This guide will equip you with the essential tools to confidently express future actions and events, making your conversations more dynamic and authentic. By the end of this chapter, you'll not only understand the mechanics of the French future tense but also know exactly when to use each form, significantly boosting your ability to communicate effectively in real-world scenarios.
We're focusing on two crucial forms: the Futur Simple (Simple Future) and the Futur Proche (Near Future). The Futur Simple is your go-to for general future events, promises, or predictions – essentially, what *will* happen. The Futur Proche, on the other hand, is perfect for actions that are *going to* happen very soon, often in the immediate future. Understanding the nuances between these two will elevate your French grammar skills and help you sound more like a native speaker. Get ready to unlock new levels of expression and make your French future-proof!

How This Grammar Works

This chapter introduces you to the exciting world of expressing the future in French, covering the Futur Simple and the Futur Proche. Let's start with the Futur Simple, your essential tool for saying what *will* happen. For most regular verbs, forming the Futur Simple is wonderfully straightforward: you take the infinitive form of the verb and add specific endings derived from the present tense of avoir. For -er and -ir verbs, you use the full infinitive. For -re verbs, you drop the final 'e' before adding the endings. The endings are: -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont. For example, *parler* (to speak) becomes *je parlerai* (I will speak), *tu parleras* (you will speak), *il parlera* (he will speak), *nous parlerons* (we will speak), *vous parlerez* (you will speak), *ils parleront* (they will speak). Similarly, *finir* (to finish) becomes *je finirai* (I will finish), and *vendre* (to sell) becomes *je vendrai* (I will sell).
However, some super common verbs are "irregular stem rebels" in the Futur Simple. These verbs don't use their infinitive as the base; instead, they have unique stems ending in 'r' to which you attach the same future endings. These French irregular future stems are vital for A2 French learners to master. Key examples include:
* être (to be) → ser- (e.g., *je serai* – I will be)
* avoir (to have) → aur- (e.g., *tu auras* – you will have)
* aller (to go) → ir- (e.g., *il ira* – he will go)
* faire (to do/make) → fer- (e.g., *nous ferons* – we will do)
* venir (to come) → viendr- (e.g., *vous viendrez* – you will come)
* voir (to see) → verr- (e.g., *elles verront* – they will see)
* pouvoir (to be able to) → pourr- (e.g., *je pourrai* – I will be able to)
Beyond the Futur Simple, you'll also learn the crucial Futur Proche (Near Future), which is used for actions happening very soon. This is formed with the present tense of aller (to go) + the infinitive of the main verb. For instance, *Je vais manger* (I am going to eat) or *Nous allons voyager* (We are going to travel). The key distinction between the Futur Simple and Futur Proche lies in immediacy: Futur Proche is for "soon," while Futur Simple is for "someday."

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Je ferai une pizza ce soir." (I will make a pizza tonight.)
✓ Correct: "Je vais faire une pizza ce soir." (I am going to make a pizza tonight.)
*Explanation:* For immediate plans or actions happening very soon (like "tonight"), the Futur Proche (*aller* + infinitive) is more natural and commonly used in spoken French than the Futur Simple.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Tu alleras à Paris l'année prochaine." (You will go to Paris next year.)
✓ Correct: "Tu iras à Paris l'année prochaine." (You will go to Paris next year.)
*Explanation:* The verb aller (to go) has an irregular stem ir- in the Futur Simple. Many learners mistakenly try to use the infinitive *aller* or a regular conjugation.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: "Nous allons être fatigués après le voyage." (We are going to be tired after the trip.)
✓ Correct: "Nous serons fatigués après le voyage." (We will be tired after the trip.)
*Explanation:* While Futur Proche is good for imminent actions, for states or predictions further in the future (like "after the trip"), especially with verbs like être (to be), the Futur Simple is often more appropriate and sophisticated.

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 voir un film et je ferai du sport. (I'm going to see a movie and I will play sports.)
A

A

Tu pourras venir à ma fête ? (Will you be able to come to my party?)
B

B

Oui, j'aurai le temps. Je serai là ! (Yes, I will have time. I will be there!)
A

A

Quand est-ce que nous voyagerons en France ? (When will we travel to France?)
B

B

L'année prochaine, nous irons à Paris et nous visiterons le Louvre. (Next year, we will go to Paris and we will visit the Louvre.)

Quick FAQ

Q

What is the main difference between Futur Simple and Futur Proche in French?

The Futur Proche (formed with *aller* + infinitive) is used for actions that are going to happen very soon, often in the immediate future. The Futur Simple (infinitive + endings or irregular stem + endings) is used for general future events, predictions, or more distant plans.

Q

How do I remember the irregular stems for the Futur Simple?

Focus on common verbs like être (ser-), avoir (aur-), aller (ir-), faire (fer-), and venir (viendr-). Practice using them in sentences and create flashcards; consistent exposure is key to mastering these French irregular future stems.

Q

Can I always use the Futur Proche instead of the Futur Simple in spoken French?

While Futur Proche is very common in informal spoken French, especially for near-future events, relying on it exclusively will make your French sound less natural and less precise. The Futur Simple is crucial for expressing more distant plans, predictions, and formal contexts, making it an essential part of A2 French grammar.

Cultural Context

In everyday spoken French, especially in informal settings, the Futur Proche is incredibly prevalent. Native speakers often opt for *Je vais manger* (I'm going to eat) even when *Je mangerai* (I will eat) would be grammatically correct for a slightly more distant future. However, this doesn't mean the Futur Simple is obsolete; it's frequently used in formal contexts, literature, news, and for expressing promises, predictions, or more definitive, long-term plans. Mastering both gives you flexibility and allows you to sound natural in any situation, from a casual chat to a formal presentation.

Key Examples (8)

1

Demain, je mangerai le petit-déjeuner au lit.

Tomorrow, I will eat breakfast in bed.

French Future Tense: Making Plans (Futur Simple)
2

Tu finiras tes devoirs ce soir ?

Will you finish your homework tonight?

French Future Tense: Making Plans (Futur Simple)
3

Je mangerai une pizza ce soir.

I will eat a pizza tonight.

French Future Tense: Saying 'I will' (Futur Simple)
4

Tu iras au concert avec nous ?

Will you go to the concert with us?

French Future Tense: Saying 'I will' (Futur Simple)
5

Demain, j'irai à la plage avec mes amis.

Tomorrow, I will go to the beach with my friends.

French Future: Irregular Stem Rebels (Futur Simple)
6

Tu seras en retard pour ton entretien Zoom !

You will be late for your Zoom interview!

French Future: Irregular Stem Rebels (Futur Simple)
7

J'irai au Japon l'année prochaine.

I will go to Japan next year.

French Irregular Future Stems (être, avoir, aller, faire)
8

Tu seras une star sur TikTok !

You will be a star on TikTok!

French Irregular Future Stems (être, avoir, aller, faire)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

The 're' rule

Always drop the final 'e' before adding the ending to 're' verbs.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Future Tense: Making Plans (Futur Simple)
🎯

The 'Avoir' Hack

The future endings (-ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont) are almost identical to the present tense of 'avoir'. Think: J'ai, tu as, il a... only 'nous' and 'vous' change slightly!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Future Tense: Saying 'I will' (Futur Simple)
💡

Focus on the stem

Don't memorize the whole conjugation. Just learn the stem and apply the standard endings.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Future: Irregular Stem Rebels (Futur Simple)
💡

The 'R' Rule

All future stems end in 'r'. If you don't hear an 'r', it's not the future tense!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Irregular Future Stems (être, avoir, aller, faire)

Key Vocabulary (6)

demain tomorrow bientôt soon l'année prochaine next year plus tard later un jour one day le futur the future

Real-World Preview

palmtree

Planning a Vacation to Nice

Review Summary

  • Infinitive + [ai, as, a, ons, ez, ont]
  • Stem + Ending

Common Mistakes

Don't mix Futur Proche (aller + infinitive) with Futur Simple. Use one or the other, not both at once.

Wrong: Je vais serai heureux.
Correct: Je serai heureux.

Remember that even in the future, contractions like 'à + le = au' still apply.

Wrong: J'irai à le magasin.
Correct: J'irai au magasin.

Some verbs are 'rebels' and don't use their infinitive as a stem. 'Voir' becomes 'verr-'.

Wrong: Je voirai le film.
Correct: Je verrai le film.

Next Steps

You've just added a whole new dimension to your French! Your ability to dream and plan in a new language is a massive milestone. Keep looking forward!

Write 5 predictions for the year 2050.

Listen to the French song 'J'attendrai' and spot future forms.

Continue to: Everyday Expressions and Opinions

Quick Practice (10)

Conjugate 'être' for 'je'.

Demain, je ___ à Paris.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: serai
Stem is ser-.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Future: Irregular Stem Rebels (Futur Simple)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Je faireai mes devoirs.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je ferai
Stem is fer-.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Future: Irregular Stem Rebels (Futur Simple)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Je prendrerai le train.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je prendrai
Drop the 'e'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Future Tense: Saying 'I will' (Futur Simple)

Fix the error.

Find and fix the mistake:

Je pouvoirai le faire.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je pourrai le faire.
The stem is pourr-.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Irregular Future Stems: Coming, Seeing & Being Able (venir, voir, pouvoir)

Select the correct form.

Nous ___ à la fête.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: irons
Irregular stem for 'aller'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Future Tense: Making Plans (Futur Simple)

Conjugate 'venir' for 'je'.

Je ___ demain.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viendrai
The stem is viendr-.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Irregular Future Stems: Coming, Seeing & Being Able (venir, voir, pouvoir)

Fix the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Si j'aurai le temps, je viendrai.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Si j'ai le temps
No future after 'si'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Future Tense: Making Plans (Futur Simple)

Which is correct?

Nous ___ (finir) le travail.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: finirons
Correct ending for 'nous'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Future Tense: Saying 'I will' (Futur Simple)

Select the correct form of 'avoir'.

Tu ___ une voiture.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: auras
The stem for avoir is aur-.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Irregular Future Stems (être, avoir, aller, faire)

Conjugate 'être' for 'je'.

Demain, je ___ à Paris.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: serai
The stem for être is ser-.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: French Irregular Future Stems (être, avoir, aller, faire)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

Some verbs are irregular because they evolved from Latin in unique ways. You just have to memorize the top 10.
You can, but it might sound too formal in casual conversation. Use 'futur proche' for daily plans.
It's a phonetic rule to avoid double vowels.
Yes, but Futur Proche is more common for immediate plans.
Because they don't use the infinitive as a base.
Yes, -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont.
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