A1 Future & Conditional 17 min read Easy

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

Master the present tense of aller to unlock a simple, certain way to talk about future actions.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use the 'Futur Proche' to talk about things you are about to do by combining 'aller' and an infinitive verb.

  • Conjugate 'aller' in the present tense: Je vais, tu vas, il va, etc.
  • Add the infinitive form of your main action verb directly after 'aller'.
  • For negative sentences, place 'ne' and 'pas' around the conjugated 'aller' verb.
Subject + Aller (present) + Verb (infinitive)

Overview

The Futur Proche (Near Future) in French is a fundamental grammatical construction used to express actions definitively planned, intended, or expected to occur in the imminent or certain future. It functions similarly to the English phrase "going to do something." This tense is invaluable for A1 learners, offering a straightforward method to communicate future plans and intentions without navigating complex irregular verb conjugations of the Futur Simple. Its consistent structure, combining a present tense conjugation of the verb aller (to go) with the infinitive form of the main action verb, makes it highly accessible.

The Futur Proche is exceedingly common in spoken French, making its mastery essential for engaging in daily conversations and comprehending native speakers. It provides a clear pathway to discussing upcoming events, personal schedules, and immediate intentions, fostering early communication fluency.

Conjugation Table

Subject Pronoun Conjugation of aller (present tense) Pronunciation Notes Example Futur Proche
:-------------- :------------------------------------- :------------------------- :-------------------------
je vais /ʒə vɛ/ je vais manger
tu vas /ty va/ tu vas dormir
il/elle/on va /il/ɛl/ɔ̃ va/ il va partir
nous allons /nu.z‿a.lɔ̃/ (liaison: z) nous allons gagner
vous allez /vu.z‿a.le/ (liaison: z) vous allez voir
ils/elles vont /il/ɛl vɔ̃/ ils vont arriver

How This Grammar Works

The Futur Proche functions on a principle of semantic composition, combining two distinct verbal components to convey a unified future meaning. The first component is the conjugated form of aller, which signals the future aspect or impending intention. The second component is the infinitive form of the main verb, which specifies the action or state.
This division simplifies the grammatical load: aller handles the conjugation for person and number, while the infinitive verb remains unaltered, preserving its core meaning.
Consider the sentence Je vais étudier. (I am going to study.). Here, vais indicates a future intention attributed to the subject je. Étudier, presented in its infinitive form, clarifies the specific action je intends to perform.
Crucially, aller in this construction does not imply physical movement. You are not literally "going" to the act of studying; rather, vais acts as a modal auxiliary, denoting an action that is about to happen. Grasping this auxiliary role of aller is fundamental to understanding the conceptual framework of the Futur Proche.
This linguistic efficiency allows learners to express future actions with minimal grammatical complexity.

Formation Pattern

1
Constructing sentences in the Futur Proche follows a clear and consistent formula, making it highly accessible for beginners. This pattern involves the precise ordering of the subject, the appropriately conjugated form of aller, and the infinitive of the main action verb.
2
Positive Sentences
3
The basic structure for affirmative statements is:
4
Subject + aller (conjugated in present tense) + Infinitive of main verb.
5
| Subject | aller (conjugated) | Infinitive | Example Phrase | Translation |
6
| :------ | :------------------- | :----------- | :------------------------- | :--------------------------------- |
7
| Je | vais | lire | Je vais lire un livre. | I am going to read a book. |
8
| Tu | vas | parler | Tu vas parler français. | You (inf.) are going to speak French. |
9
| Elle | va | travailler | Elle va travailler demain.| She is going to work tomorrow. |
10
Negative Sentences
11
To form negative statements in the Futur Proche, the standard French negation ne...pas (or n'...pas before a vowel) must enclose the conjugated aller. The infinitive verb remains outside this negation. This means ne comes before aller, and pas comes after it.
12
Subject + ne (n') + aller (conjugated) + pas + Infinitive of main verb.
13
| Subject | ne (n') | aller (conjugated) | pas | Infinitive | Example Phrase | Translation |
14
| :------ | :---------- | :------------------- | :---- | :----------- | :-------------------------- | :-------------------------------- |
15
| Je | ne | vais | pas | écouter | Je ne vais pas écouter. | I am not going to listen. |
16
| Vous | n' | allez | pas | attendre | Vous n'allez pas attendre.| You (form./pl.) are not going to wait. |
17
| Il | ne | va | pas | venir | Il ne va pas venir. | He is not going to come. |
18
In informal spoken French, the ne is frequently omitted (e.g., Je vais pas écouter). However, for formal writing and examinations, the complete ne...pas structure is mandatory.
19
Interrogative Sentences (Questions)
20
There are three principal methods for forming questions with the Futur Proche, ranging from informal to more formal:
21
Intonation (Informal): Simply raising your voice at the end of a statement.
22
Tu vas étudier ? (Are you going to study?)
23
Est-ce que (Neutral): A common and versatile way to pose questions.
24
Est-ce que tu vas étudier ? (Are you going to study?)
25
Inversion (Formal/Written): Invert the subject pronoun and the conjugated aller, connecting them with a hyphen.
26
Vas-tu étudier ? (Are you going to study?)
27
If aller ends in a vowel and the pronoun begins with a vowel (il, elle, on), a -t- is inserted for euphony: Va-t-il étudier ? (Is he going to study?)
28
Reflexive Verbs
29
For reflexive verbs (e.g., se laver - to wash oneself), the reflexive pronoun (me, te, se, nous, vous, se) always precedes the infinitive verb, not aller.
30
Subject + aller (conjugated) + Reflexive Pronoun + Infinitive of reflexive verb.
31
| Subject | aller (conjugated) | Reflexive Pronoun | Infinitive | Example Phrase | Translation |
32
| :------ | :------------------- | :---------------- | :--------- | :-------------------------- | :--------------------------------- |
33
| Je | vais | me | laver | Je vais me laver. | I am going to wash myself. |
34
| Tu | vas | te | coucher | Tu vas te coucher tôt. | You (inf.) are going to go to bed early. |
35
| Il | va | s' | habiller | Il va s'habiller vite. | He is going to get dressed quickly. |
36
When negating reflexive verbs, ne...pas still surrounds the conjugated aller:
37
Je ne vais pas me laver. (I am not going to wash myself.)
38
Ils ne vont pas se dépêcher. (They are not going to hurry up.)

When To Use It

The Futur Proche is primarily used to express actions that are definitively planned, intended, or expected to occur. It conveys a strong sense of immediacy and certainty, making it suitable for several key contexts.
  • Imminent Actions: Use Futur Proche for actions scheduled to happen very soon or that are clearly about to occur.
  • Je vais manger dans cinq minutes. (I'm going to eat in five minutes.)
  • Le bus va arriver. (The bus is going to arrive.)
  • Certain Plans and Intentions: It is employed for plans that are already established and firm, irrespective of their temporal distance. The crucial element is the speaker's current intention or decision.
  • Nous allons déménager l'année prochaine. (We are going to move next year.) This illustrates that "near" refers more to the certainty of the plan from the present perspective than strict temporal proximity.
  • Je vais visiter mes grands-parents ce week-end. (I am going to visit my grandparents this weekend.)
  • Predictions Based on Present Evidence: When current observations or circumstances strongly suggest a future outcome, the Futur Proche is the appropriate choice.
  • Regarde ces nuages noirs, il va pleuvoir. (Look at these dark clouds, it's going to rain.)
  • Elle est fatiguée, elle va s'endormir. (She is tired, she is going to fall asleep.)
  • Prevalence in Spoken French: In everyday conversation, the Futur Proche is significantly preferred over the Futur Simple for discussing future events. It sounds more natural and less formal. French speakers use it for most casual and semi-formal future references.
  • A common cultural usage difference: an English speaker might say "I will eat later," whereas a French speaker is more likely to say Je vais manger plus tard., reflecting a general preference for the immediacy and intention implied by the Futur Proche in daily discourse.

Common Mistakes

Despite its relative simplicity, learners frequently encounter specific pitfalls when using the Futur Proche. Recognizing these common errors can significantly enhance accuracy and accelerate fluency development.
  • Double Conjugation: The most frequent error is conjugating both aller and the main verb. For example, Je vais mange instead of Je vais manger.
  • Explanation: The structure explicitly requires the infinitive form for the main verb. Only aller carries the tense and subject agreement. Conjugating the main verb disrupts this fundamental grammatical rule.
  • Incorrect ne...pas Placement: Misplacing the negation is another common issue. Some learners might say Je vais manger pas or attempt to enclose the infinitive in ne...pas.
  • Explanation: The ne...pas (or n'...pas before a vowel) construction must encapsulate the conjugated aller (e.g., Je ne vais pas manger.). It operates on the auxiliary verb, not the main infinitive.
  • Omitting aller Entirely: Beginners sometimes drop aller and attempt to use just the infinitive with a time adverb, e.g., Je manger demain.
  • Explanation: Aller is not optional; it is the auxiliary verb that creates the future tense. Without it, the infinitive lacks the necessary temporal marker, rendering the sentence grammatically incomplete.
  • Avoiding aller aller: Learners often find the repetition of aller awkward when the main verb is also aller, leading them to say Je vais à Paris for "I am going to go to Paris."
  • Explanation: While Je vais à Paris means "I am going to Paris" (present tense, physical movement), if the intention is "I am going to go to Paris" in the future, the double aller is grammatically correct and necessary: Je vais aller à Paris. This construction sounds natural to native speakers in such contexts.
  • Incorrect Reflexive Pronoun Placement: Placing the reflexive pronoun after the infinitive, e.g., Je vais laver me.
  • Explanation: The reflexive pronoun always immediately precedes the infinitive verb it modifies in the Futur Proche. It is intrinsically linked to the infinitive, forming a single conceptual unit. Je vais me laver. is the correct structure.
  • Inconsistent Subject-Verb Agreement for aller: Mismatching the subject pronoun with the correct present tense conjugation of aller, e.g., Il allons instead of Il va.
  • Explanation: Although aller acts as an auxiliary, it must still agree in person and number with the subject of the sentence, just like any other present tense verb. Regular review of the aller conjugation table is essential to avoid this error.

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Distinguishing the Futur Proche from other verbal constructions that express future actions or present states is crucial for precise communication. Nuances in usage dictate which tense is appropriate.
  • Present Tense (Présent): The present tense describes actions happening now (Je mange maintenant.), habitual actions (Je mange tous les jours.), or general truths. In French, the present tense can sometimes refer to the very near future, especially with a time expression (e.g., Je pars demain. - I leave tomorrow.). However, Je vais partir demain (I am going to leave tomorrow) is more explicit about the intention and certainty. The Futur Proche always foregrounds the plan or impending nature of the action, providing greater clarity when discussing future plans.
  • Simple Future (Futur Simple): The Futur Simple (e.g., Je mangerai - I will eat) is used for more distant or less certain future events, predictions without immediate evidence, formal announcements, or promises. It generally translates to "will" in English.
  • Key Distinction: Intention vs. General Future: The Futur Proche (Je vais manger.) emphasizes an immediate intention or a certain plan based on a current decision. It feels personal and directly linked to the present. For example, Je vais t'appeler ce soir. (I'm going to call you tonight. - The decision is made, it's a definite plan.) In contrast, the Futur Simple (Je mangerai.) suggests a more general future event, a prediction, or a commitment that may be less immediate or less tied to a current, firm intention. Je t'appellerai quand j'aurai le temps. (I will call you when I have time. - A promise, but conditional and less immediate.)
  • Formality: The Futur Proche is significantly more common in casual, spoken French. The Futur Simple often carries a slightly more formal or literary tone. For instance, a weather report might use Le temps sera ensoleillé demain. (The weather will be sunny tomorrow – Futur Simple), while a casual conversation would likely use Il va faire beau demain. (It's going to be nice tomorrow – Futur Proche).
  • Summary: Consider Futur Proche as expressing "what I plan to do/what is about to happen" and Futur Simple as "what will generally happen."
  • Venir de + Infinitive (Recent Past): While not a future tense, venir de + infinitive means "to have just done something" (e.g., Je viens de manger. - I have just eaten.). This construction uses venir (to come) as an auxiliary in the present tense, followed by de and the infinitive. This structure showcases a parallel linguistic pattern where verbs of movement (aller, venir) serve as auxiliaries to convey temporal proximity (future for aller, recent past for venir) when combined with an infinitive. This symmetry underscores a fundamental aspect of French verbal expression.

Real Conversations

The Futur Proche is an indispensable tool for authentic communication in French, permeating daily exchanges from casual chats to informal written messages. Its pervasive use highlights its practical importance for learners aiming to sound natural.

- Casual Planning: When discussing plans with friends, the Futur Proche is the default choice.

- Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire ce soir ? (What are you going to do tonight?)

- On va manger au restaurant, ça te dit ? (We're going to eat at the restaurant, interested?)

- Expressing Intentions in Texts/WhatsApp: In digital communication, the Futur Proche efficiently conveys immediate actions and responses.

- Je vais t'envoyer les photos plus tard. (I'm going to send you the photos later.)

- OK, je vais arriver dans dix minutes. (Okay, I'm going to arrive in ten minutes.)

- Work Context (Informal): Even in less formal work settings, such as team discussions or internal emails, the Futur Proche is used to communicate planned tasks.

- Je vais préparer la présentation pour lundi. (I'm going to prepare the presentation for Monday.)

- Nous allons discuter de ça lors de la réunion. (We are going to discuss that during the meeting.)

- Predictions Based on Observation: Informally predicting events based on immediate observation or feeling.

- J'ai soif, je vais boire un grand verre d'eau. (I'm thirsty, I'm going to drink a big glass of water.)

- Écoute, il va faire du bruit. (Listen, it's going to make noise.)

This extensive usage demonstrates why mastering the Futur Proche is not merely an academic exercise, but a direct pathway to sounding more natural and fully participating in French conversations. Native speakers will instantly recognize and appreciate your appropriate use of this future tense, enhancing your communicative effectiveness.

Progressive Practice

1

To genuinely internalize the Futur Proche and achieve fluent usage, consistent and varied practice is essential. Begin with foundational exercises and gradually integrate the tense into more complex communicative tasks.

2

- Sentence Transformation: Convert sentences from the present tense or Futur Simple into the Futur Proche. This reinforces the structural changes.

3

- Example: Je mange une pomme. (Present) -> Je vais manger une pomme. (Near Future)

4

- Example: Il partira demain. (Simple Future) -> Il va partir demain. (Near Future, emphasizing intention)

5

- Complete the Sentence: Provide a subject and an infinitive, then practice conjugating aller correctly to complete the Futur Proche construction.

6

- Example: Nous _____ (faire) les devoirs. -> Nous allons faire les devoirs.

7

- Example: Tu _____ (se brosser) les dents. -> Tu vas te brosser les dents. (Pay attention to reflexive pronoun placement).

8

- Personal Application: Regularly write or speak about your own immediate and certain plans and intentions. This personalized practice helps solidify memory and makes the grammar relevant.

9

- Demain, je vais... (Tomorrow, I am going to...)

10

- Ce week-end, mes amis et moi, nous allons... (This weekend, my friends and I are going to...)

11

- Listening and Identification: Actively listen for the Futur Proche in various French media, such as podcasts, songs, YouTube videos, and movies. Try to identify both the aller conjugation and the infinitive.

12

- This practice trains your ear to the rhythm and common phrases, improving comprehension in real-time conversations.

13

- Role-Playing and Conversation: Engage in dialogues with a language partner or instructor, specifically focusing on discussing future plans. Practice asking and answering questions about daily, weekly, or yearly intentions using the Futur Proche.

14

- Example: Qu'est-ce que vous allez commander ? (What are you going to order?)

Quick FAQ

This section addresses common questions learners frequently have about the Futur Proche, clarifying potential ambiguities and reinforcing understanding for practical application.
  • Q: Can aller be the main verb in the Futur Proche?
  • A: Yes, absolutely. While it may sound redundant to an English speaker, it is grammatically correct and necessary in French when you mean "to go" (physical movement) in the near future. For example, Je vais aller à la plage. (I am going to go to the beach.) Here, the first vais is the auxiliary for the Futur Proche, and aller is the infinitive representing the action of going.
  • Q: Is it always necessary to include ne in negative sentences?
  • A: Formally and in written French, yes, the ne is mandatory (Je ne vais pas parler.). However, in informal spoken French, especially in casual settings, native speakers frequently omit the ne, resulting in constructions like Je vais pas parler. While common, it is crucial for learners to use the full ne...pas construction in formal contexts, exams, or when aiming for precise, standard French.
  • Q: How far into the future can I use the Futur Proche?
  • A: The "near" in Futur Proche refers more to the certainty and current intention behind the action rather than strict temporal proximity. You can use it for plans weeks, months, or even a year away, as long as the intention is firm and established in the present. For instance, Nous allons acheter une maison l'année prochaine. (We are going to buy a house next year.) is perfectly correct if the decision is made and a firm plan exists.
  • Q: Does it work with the verb être (to be)?
  • A: Yes, être can be used as the infinitive in the Futur Proche. This is very common for expressing future states or conditions. For example, Je vais être en retard. (I am going to be late.) or Il va être avocat. (He is going to be a lawyer.) Such constructions are integral to discussing future roles, states, or possibilities.
  • Q: Can I use it to ask questions?
  • A: Yes, the Futur Proche is frequently used for questions about future plans. As explained in the Formation Pattern section, you can use intonation (Tu vas venir ?), Est-ce que (Est-ce que tu vas venir ?), or inversion (Vas-tu venir ?). The intonation method is the most common in casual, everyday speech due to its simplicity and directness.

Conjugation of 'Aller' (The Helper Verb)

Subject Aller (Present) Infinitive Verb Full Phrase
Je
vais
manger
Je vais manger
Tu
vas
manger
Tu vas manger
Il/Elle/On
va
manger
Il va manger
Nous
allons
manger
Nous allons manger
Vous
allez
manger
Vous allez manger
Ils/Elles
vont
manger
Ils vont manger

Meanings

The Futur Proche describes actions that are planned for the near future or are about to happen immediately.

1

Immediate intention

Plans you have made for the very near future.

“Je vais étudier ce soir.”

“Nous allons partir bientôt.”

Reference Table

Reference table for French Near Future: I am going to... (Futur Proche)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Aller + Infinitive
Je vais partir.
Negative
Ne + Aller + Pas + Infinitive
Je ne vais pas partir.
Question
Aller + Subject + Infinitive
Vas-tu partir ?
Short Answer
Oui/Non + Aller
Oui, je vais.
Reflexive
Aller + Reflexive Pronoun + Infinitive
Je vais me laver.
With Object
Aller + Infinitive + Object
Je vais manger une pomme.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Je vais manger.

Je vais manger. (Daily life)

Neutral
Je vais manger.

Je vais manger. (Daily life)

Informal
Je vais manger.

Je vais manger. (Daily life)

Slang
Je vais me faire un truc à bouffer.

Je vais me faire un truc à bouffer. (Daily life)

Futur Proche Components

Futur Proche

Helper

  • Aller To go

Action

  • Infinitive Base verb

Futur Proche vs Futur Simple

Futur Proche
Je vais manger I'm going to eat
Futur Simple
Je mangerai I will eat

Formation Flow

1

Is it a plan?

YES
Use Aller + Infinitive
NO
Use Present or Simple

Aller Conjugations

👤

Singular

  • • Je vais
  • • Tu vas
  • • Il va
👥

Plural

  • • Nous allons
  • • Vous allez
  • • Ils vont
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Examples by Level

1

Je vais manger.

I am going to eat.

2

Tu vas dormir.

You are going to sleep.

3

Il va partir.

He is going to leave.

4

Nous allons jouer.

We are going to play.

1

Je ne vais pas sortir ce soir.

I am not going to go out tonight.

2

Est-ce que vous allez étudier ?

Are you going to study?

3

Ils vont acheter une voiture.

They are going to buy a car.

4

Elle va téléphoner à sa mère.

She is going to call her mother.

1

Je vais bientôt finir ce projet.

I am going to finish this project soon.

2

Nous allons nous marier en juin.

We are going to get married in June.

3

Tu vas regretter cette décision.

You are going to regret this decision.

4

On va voir ce qui se passe.

We are going to see what happens.

1

Il va falloir agir rapidement.

It is going to be necessary to act quickly.

2

Je vais faire en sorte que tout soit prêt.

I am going to ensure everything is ready.

3

Ils vont être surpris par la nouvelle.

They are going to be surprised by the news.

4

Nous allons devoir changer de stratégie.

We are going to have to change strategy.

1

Tout porte à croire qu'il va pleuvoir.

Everything suggests that it is going to rain.

2

Je vais m'atteler à cette tâche dès demain.

I am going to tackle this task starting tomorrow.

3

Elle va finir par comprendre la situation.

She is eventually going to understand the situation.

4

On va se retrouver face à un dilemme.

We are going to find ourselves facing a dilemma.

1

Il va de soi que nous allons réussir.

It goes without saying that we are going to succeed.

2

La situation va aller en s'améliorant.

The situation is going to improve.

3

Nous allons nous employer à résoudre ce conflit.

We are going to endeavor to resolve this conflict.

4

Cela va sans dire, ils vont nous soutenir.

It goes without saying, they are going to support us.

Easily Confused

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

Learners mix up 'Je vais manger' and 'Je mangerai'.

French Near Future: I am going to... (Futur Proche) vs Present Tense

Learners use the present tense for future events.

French Near Future: I am going to... (Futur Proche) vs Aller + à + Infinitive

Learners add 'à' because of English 'going to'.

Common Mistakes

✗

Je vais mange

✓

Je vais manger

The second verb must be in the infinitive.
✗

Je mange vais

✓

Je vais manger

The helper verb 'aller' comes first.
✗

Je vais à manger

✓

Je vais manger

Do not add 'à' between the verbs.
✗

Je vais pas manger

✓

Je ne vais pas manger

Don't forget the 'ne' in formal writing.
✗

Vas-tu à manger ?

✓

Vas-tu manger ?

No preposition needed.
✗

Nous allons mangeons

✓

Nous allons manger

Only 'aller' is conjugated.
✗

Il va ne pas manger

✓

Il ne va pas manger

Negative structure is 'ne...pas' around 'aller'.
✗

Je vais avoir mangé

✓

Je vais manger

Don't use the perfect infinitive unless you mean 'going to have eaten'.
✗

J'allais manger

✓

J'allais manger

This is the 'futur proche dans le passé' (was going to), not the future.
✗

On va y aller manger

✓

On va manger

Redundant 'y aller'.
✗

Il va pour manger

✓

Il va manger

Do not use 'pour' to indicate purpose here.
✗

Cela va à être difficile

✓

Cela va être difficile

No preposition.
✗

Nous allons nous en aller

✓

Nous allons partir

Use 'partir' for leaving, 's'en aller' is for 'going away'.

Sentence Patterns

Je vais ___ ce soir.

Est-ce que tu vas ___ demain ?

Nous n'allons pas ___ cette semaine.

Ils vont ___ pour le projet.

Real World Usage

Texting a friend constant

Je vais arriver dans 5 min.

Ordering food very common

Je vais prendre le menu.

Job interview common

Je vais apporter de la valeur.

Travel planning common

Nous allons visiter le Louvre.

Social media very common

Je vais poster une photo.

Food delivery app occasional

Je vais commander une pizza.

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💡

Keep it simple

Don't overthink the future. If it's happening soon, just use 'aller' + infinitive.
⚠️

Watch the preposition

Remember: no 'à' in French! It's 'Je vais manger', not 'Je vais à manger'.
🎯

Use it for certainty

If you are 100% sure you will do something, the Futur Proche is stronger than the Futur Simple.
💬

Casual speech

In spoken French, 'nous allons' often becomes 'on va'. It sounds much more natural.

Smart Tips

Use 'on va' instead of 'nous allons' in conversation.

Nous allons manger. → On va manger.

Use Futur Proche to show you have a solid plan.

Je mangerai demain. → Je vais manger demain.

You can drop the 'ne' to save time.

Je ne vais pas venir. → Je vais pas venir.

Remember to change the pronoun to match the subject.

Je vais se laver. → Je vais me laver.

Pronunciation

Nous allons-z-étudier.

Liaison

When 'allons' or 'allez' is followed by a vowel, link the sounds.

J'allais.

Elision

The 'e' in 'je' drops before a vowel.

Rising intonation

Tu vas manger ? ↗

Used for yes/no questions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Aller' as a taxi driver. He takes you to your destination (the infinitive verb).

Visual Association

Imagine a taxi with 'ALLER' written on the side. You hop in, and the driver takes you to a giant sign that says 'MANGER' (Eat).

Rhyme

Pour le futur, c'est très facile, je vais plus le verbe en infinitive.

Story

I am standing at the station. I see the 'Aller' train arriving. I jump on board with my suitcase labeled 'Manger'. We travel together to the future.

Word Web

AllerVaisVasVaAllonsAllezVontInfinitive

Challenge

Write down 5 things you are going to do today using 'Je vais'.

Cultural Notes

The Futur Proche is the standard way to express future plans in both professional and casual settings.

Very similar usage, though 'on' is used more frequently than 'nous' for 'we'.

The structure is identical, often used in business contexts to show commitment.

The Futur Proche evolved from the Latin 'vado ad' (I go to).

Conversation Starters

“

Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire ce week-end ?

“

Est-ce que tu vas voyager cet été ?

“

Qu'est-ce que tu vas manger ce soir ?

“

Vas-tu regarder un film ce soir ?

Journal Prompts

Write about your plans for tomorrow.
Describe what you are going to do to improve your French.
What are you going to change in your life next year?
If you could travel anywhere, what are you going to do there?

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Conjugate 'aller' correctly.

Je ___ manger.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vais
Je takes 'vais'.
Choose the correct infinitive form. Multiple Choice

Nous allons ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: manger
The infinitive is 'manger'.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je vais à partir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je vais partir
Remove the 'à'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je ne vais pas manger
Negative structure is 'ne...pas'.
Conjugate for 'Ils'. Conjugation Drill

Ils ___ manger.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vont
Ils takes 'vont'.
Match the subject to the verb. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vas
Tu takes 'vas'.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Nous / aller / dormir

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous allons dormir
Correct conjugation and infinitive.
Is this rule true? True False Rule

You conjugate the second verb in Futur Proche.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Only the first verb is conjugated.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Conjugate 'aller' correctly.

Je ___ manger.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vais
Je takes 'vais'.
Choose the correct infinitive form. Multiple Choice

Nous allons ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: manger
The infinitive is 'manger'.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Je vais à partir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je vais partir
Remove the 'à'.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

pas / ne / vais / manger / je

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je ne vais pas manger
Negative structure is 'ne...pas'.
Conjugate for 'Ils'. Conjugation Drill

Ils ___ manger.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vont
Ils takes 'vont'.
Match the subject to the verb. Match Pairs

Tu -> ?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vas
Tu takes 'vas'.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Nous / aller / dormir

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous allons dormir
Correct conjugation and infinitive.
Is this rule true? True False Rule

You conjugate the second verb in Futur Proche.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Only the first verb is conjugated.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Complete the sentence with 'aller' + 'finir'. Fill in the Blank

Tu ___ bientôt tes devoirs.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vas finir
Reorder the words to make a correct sentence. Sentence Reorder

vais / un / je / acheter / téléphone

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je vais acheter un téléphone.
Translate 'We are going to sleep' into French. Translation

We are going to sleep.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous allons dormir.
Fix the negation placement. Error Correction

Je vais ne pas partir.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je ne vais pas partir.
Match the English to the French. Match Pairs

Match the pairs:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I'm going to work | Je vais travailler
Select the correct reflexive future form. Multiple Choice

I am going to shower (me doucher).

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Je vais me doucher.
Fill in the correct form of 'aller' for 'elles'. Fill in the Blank

Elles ___ voyager en France cet été.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: vont
Translate 'Are you going to study?' (informal). Translation

Are you going to study?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Tu vas étudier ?
Put the negation in order. Sentence Reorder

pas / va / il / ne / chanter

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Il ne va pas chanter.
Identify the 'going to go' form. Multiple Choice

How do you say 'We are going to go'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Nous allons aller.

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

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.

In formal writing, yes. In casual speech, it is often omitted.

The infinitive remains the same. 'Je vais étudier'.

Yes, for the Futur Proche. Other tenses use 'avoir' or 'être'.

Yes. 'Je vais me laver'. The reflexive pronoun stays with the infinitive.

Very similar, but French uses it more frequently for all future plans.

Conjugating the second verb or adding 'à'.

Scaffolded Practice

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Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Voy a comer

Spanish requires the preposition 'a' between the verbs.

German low

Ich werde essen

German uses 'werden' instead of 'to go'.

English high

I am going to eat

English uses 'to be' + 'going' while French uses just 'aller'.

Japanese low

Taberu tsumori desu

Japanese uses an intention noun rather than a motion verb.

Arabic low

Sa-akulu

Arabic uses a prefix instead of a separate helper verb.

Chinese moderate

Wo yao chi

Chinese uses a modal auxiliary rather than a motion verb.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
Polite Requests & 'Would' (Conditionnel Présent)

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