Key points about future phrases in French
The future tense in French can be expressed using the A verb that describes an action that is happening now or that happens regularly, eg I eat breakfast every day. together with Time adverbs tell us when an action happens, as well as how long for and how often. .
Time adverbs in English include ‘tomorrow’, ‘next week’ and ‘soon’.
The 'near future' in French is formed using the present tense of the verb aller (to go), followed by an The basic form of the verb. In French, all infinitives end in '-er', '-ir' or '-re'..
Using the present tense and time adverbs to express the future
The future tense in French can be expressed using the present tense with a future time adverb.
For example:
On va au cinéma cet après-midi. – We’re going to the cinema this afternoon.
Les vacances commencent demain. – The holidays begin tomorrow.
Je travaille ce soir. – I am working this evening.
Other time adverbs that can be used in this way include:
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | in the future |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | next year |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | next week |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | next weekend |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | later |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | soon |
Phrases to express the future - Mini quiz
Finir means ‘to finish’. What is the translation of this sentence in English?
Je finis mes devoirs plus tard.
I’m finishing my homework later.
Vendre means ‘to sell’. What is this sentence in English?
La famille vend la maison l’année prochaine.
The family is selling the house next year.
Using the near future tense
The near future tense is formed using the present tense of aller (to go) and an infinitive. It describes what is going to happen and is used very commonly in French.
| Subject pronoun | Present tense of aller | Infinitive (example) | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | I am going to watch |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you are going to eat |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | he is going to do/make |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | she is going to have |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | one is going/we are going to live |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | we are going to go |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | you are going to see |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they are going to win |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | they are going to arrive |
Using the near future tense - Mini quiz
Translate the following phrases into French using the near future tense.
She is going to arrive.
Elle va arriver.
You are going to have. (two options)
Tu vas avoir./Vous allez avoir.
Quiz - Future phrases
Practise what you've learned about future phrases in French with this quiz.
Now you’ve learned about future phrases in French, why not explore regular verbs in the present tense?
More on Future and conditional verbs
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