French Future Tense: How to Form It, Rules, Uses & Easy Examples 2026

Talking about the future in French can seem confusing at first. You may know how to say “I speak” or “I go,” but what happens when you want to say “I will speak,” “she will go,” or “we are going to travel”?

French has several ways to talk about future actions, but two forms are especially important for beginners: the futur simple and the futur proche. Understanding when and how to use these forms will help you speak more naturally and write clearer French sentences.

For example:

• Je parlerai demain. = I will speak tomorrow.
• Je vais parler demain. = I am going to speak tomorrow.

Both sentences refer to the future, but they use different grammar patterns. The futur simple is commonly used for future events, predictions, promises, and statements about what will happen. The futur proche is often used for plans, intentions, or actions that are expected to happen soon.

In this guide, you will learn how to form and use the French future tense with simple rules, conjugation examples, common mistakes, comparisons, and practical exercises.

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Quick Answer

The French future tense is mainly expressed with the futur simple and futur proche. The futur simple usually uses the infinitive plus future endings, while the futur proche uses aller + infinitive.

Future Form	Basic Structure	Example
Futur simple	infinitive + ending	Je parlerai
Futur proche	aller + infinitive	Je vais parler

The futur simple means “will” or “shall,” while the futur proche often means “am going to,” “is going to,” or another planned/immediate future action.

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What Is the French Future Tense?

The French future tense refers to verb forms used to describe actions or events that will happen after the present moment.

French commonly uses two future constructions:

1. Futur simple  simple future
2. Futur proche  near or immediate future

French also has a futur antérieur, or future perfect, which describes an action that will have been completed before another future event.

Futur simple

The futur simple is often translated into English using will + verb.

Examples:

• Je parlerai français. = I will speak French.
• Elle arrivera demain. = She will arrive tomorrow.
• Nous partirons lundi. = We will leave Monday.

It can be used for future predictions, promises, plans, possibilities, and events viewed as future facts.

Futur proche

The futur proche is formed with a present tense form of aller followed by an infinitive.

Examples:

• Je vais manger. = I am going to eat.
• Il va partir. = He is going to leave.
• Nous allons commencer. = We are going to start.

It is especially common in everyday spoken French.

Futur antérieur

The futur antérieur expresses an action that will have happened before another future action.

Example:

• Quand tu arriveras, j’aurai fini.
• When you arrive, I will have finished.

For beginners, the most important forms to master first are the futur simple and futur proche.

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Structure of Sentences of the French Future Tense

The word order of French future sentences is generally similar to normal French sentence order.

Affirmative sentences

For the futur simple:

Subject + future tense verb + complement

Examples:

• Je travaillerai demain.
• Elle visitera Paris.
• Nous partirons bientôt.

For the futur proche:

Subject + aller + infinitive + complement

Examples:

• Je vais travailler demain.
• Elle va visiter Paris.
• Nous allons partir bientôt.

Negative sentences

In the futur simple, ne … pas surrounds the conjugated verb.

Subject + ne + future verb + pas + complement

Examples:

• Je ne travaillerai pas demain.
• Elle ne viendra pas ce soir.
• Nous ne partirons pas lundi.

In the futur proche, ne … pas surrounds the conjugated form of aller.

Subject + ne + aller + pas + infinitive

Examples:

• Je ne vais pas travailler.
• Il ne va pas venir.
• Nous n’allons pas sortir.

Notice that pas comes before the infinitive in the futur proche.

Interrogative sentences

Questions can be formed in several ways.

With normal spoken word order:

• Tu viendras demain ?
• Vous allez partir ?

With est ce que:

• Est ce que tu viendras demain ?
• Est ce que vous allez partir ?

With inversion:

• Viendras tu demain ?
• Allez vous partir ?

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Formation of the French Future Tense

The formation of the futur simple is one of the most important parts to learn.

Regular  er and  ir verbs

For most regular  er and  ir verbs, use the infinitive and add the future endings.

The endings are:

 ai,  as,  a,  ons,  ez,  ont

For example, take parler (to speak):

Subject	Futur simple
je	parlerai
tu	parleras
il/elle/on	parlera
nous	parlerons
vous	parlerez
ils/elles	parleront

Another example is finir (to finish):

• je finirai
• tu finiras
• il finira
• nous finirons
• vous finirez
• ils finiront

Regular  re verbs

With most regular  re verbs, remove the final  e from the infinitive before adding the future ending.

For example:

vendre → vendr 

• je vendrai
• tu vendras
• il vendra
• nous vendrons
• vous vendrez
• ils vendront

Similarly:

attendre → attendr 

• j’attendrai
• tu attendras
• elle attendra

Irregular future stems

Some common French verbs have irregular future stems. The future endings stay the same, but the stem changes.

Infinitive	Future Stem	Example
être	ser	je serai
avoir	aur	j’aurai
aller	ir	j’irai
faire	fer	je ferai
venir	viendr	je viendrai
pouvoir	pourr	je pourrai
vouloir	voudr	je voudrai
devoir	devr	je devrai
savoir	saur	je saurai
voir	verr	je verrai

These forms need to be learned because they do not follow the simple infinitive pattern.

Forming the futur proche

The futur proche is easier to form.

Use:

present tense of aller + infinitive

Examples:

• Je vais manger. = I am going to eat.
• Tu vas apprendre. = You are going to learn.
• Elle va partir. = She is going to leave.
• Nous allons voyager. = We are going to travel.
• Vous allez réussir. = You are going to succeed.
• Ils vont jouer. = They are going to play.

The second verb remains in the infinitive.

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How to Use the French Future Tense

The choice between the futur simple and futur proche depends partly on meaning, context, and style.

1. Use the futur simple for future events

The futur simple can describe something that will happen in the future.

• Je travaillerai demain.
• I will work tomorrow.
• Nous visiterons Lyon cet été.
• We will visit Lyon this summer.

2. Use the futur simple for predictions

It is often used when making predictions about the future.

• Il pleuvra demain.
• It will rain tomorrow.
• Les prix augmenteront.
• Prices will increase.
• Tu réussiras.
• You will succeed.

3. Use it for promises

The futur simple can express a promise or firm statement about a future action.

• Je t’aiderai.
• I will help you.
• Je reviendrai bientôt.
• I will come back soon.
• Nous ne vous oublierons jamais.
• We will never forget you.

4. Use futur proche for an upcoming action

The futur proche is very common when an action is expected to happen soon.

• Je vais partir.
• I am going to leave.
• Elle va appeler son frère.
• She is going to call her brother.
• Nous allons commencer le cours.
• We are going to start the class.

5. Use futur proche for a clear intention

It can also describe an intention or plan.

• Je vais apprendre le français.
• I am going to learn French.
• Ils vont acheter une voiture.
• They are going to buy a car.

6. Use future forms for scheduled events

French can use different constructions depending on context.

For example:

• Le train partira à huit heures.
• The train will leave at eight.

The present tense can also describe a fixed schedule:

• Le train part à huit heures.
• The train leaves at eight.

The important point is that French does not always need a future tense simply because English uses “will.”

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Structure or Verb Pattern Table

Here is a compact reference table for the most useful French future forms.

Future Form	Pattern	Example
Futur simple	infinitive/stem + ending	Je parlerai
Futur simple negative	ne + future verb + pas	Je ne parlerai pas
Futur proche	aller + infinitive	Je vais parler
Futur proche negative	ne + aller + pas + infinitive	Je ne vais pas parler
Futur antérieur	avoir/être in future + past participle	J’aurai fini

Futur simple endings

Subject	Ending	parler
je	ai	parlerai
tu	as	parleras
il/elle/on	a	parlera
nous	ons	parlerons
vous	ez	parlerez
ils/elles	ont	parleront

A useful memory trick is to notice that the endings are based on forms related to avoir:

• ai
• as
• a
• ons
• ez
• ont

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Real Life Examples

The following examples show how French future forms appear in everyday situations.

Everyday conversation

• Je viendrai demain.
  = I will come tomorrow.
• Tu feras tes devoirs ce soir.
  = You will do your homework tonight.
• Nous allons manger au restaurant.
  = We are going to eat at the restaurant.
• Elle va acheter du pain.
  = She is going to buy some bread.

Plans and intentions

• Je vais commencer un nouveau cours.
  = I am going to start a new course.
• Nous allons voyager en France cet été.
  = We are going to travel to France this summer.
• Ils visiteront Marseille l’année prochaine.
  = They will visit Marseille next year.

Predictions

• Il fera froid demain.
  = It will be cold tomorrow.
• Tu réussiras l’examen.
  = You will pass the exam.
• Le film commencera à neuf heures.
  = The movie will start at nine.

Questions

• Est ce que tu viendras demain ?
  = Will you come tomorrow?
• Quand partirez vous ?
  = When will you leave?
• Est ce qu’elle va appeler ce soir ?
  = Is she going to call tonight?

Negative sentences

• Je ne sortirai pas ce soir.
  = I will not go out tonight.
• Il ne viendra pas demain.
  = He will not come tomorrow.
• Nous n’allons pas acheter cette maison.
  = We are not going to buy this house.

Formal examples

In formal writing, the futur simple is common:

• Le gouvernement annoncera les résultats demain.
• The government will announce the results tomorrow.
• La réunion commencera à dix heures.
• The meeting will begin at ten.

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Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Using the present infinitive after a future ending

Incorrect:

• Je parlerai à toi demain.

This is not necessarily grammatically impossible in every context, but learners often create incorrect forms by adding a future ending to the wrong part of a verb.

Correct future form:

• Je te parlerai demain.
• I will speak to you tomorrow.

Mistake 2: Forgetting that  re verbs lose the final  e

Incorrect:

• Je vendreai.

Correct:

• Je vendrai.

For most regular  re verbs, remove the final e before adding the future ending.

Mistake 3: Using the wrong form of aller

Incorrect:

• Je allez parler.

Correct:

• Je vais parler.

Remember that aller must be conjugated according to the subject.

Mistake 4: Conjugating the second verb in the futur proche

Incorrect:

• Je vais parlerai.

Correct:

• Je vais parler.

Only aller is conjugated. The second verb stays in the infinitive.

Mistake 5: Confusing futur simple and futur proche

These sentences are both future forms:

• Je partirai demain.
• Je vais partir demain.

They can both mean “I will leave tomorrow” or “I am going to leave tomorrow,” but the futur proche often sounds more immediate or connected to a current plan.

Mistake 6: Forgetting irregular future stems

Incorrect:

• Je êtreai demain.

Correct:

• Je serai demain.

The verb être uses the irregular future stem ser .

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Key Grammar Rules

Here are the most important French future tense rules to remember.

Rule 1: Learn the six futur simple endings

The standard endings are:

 ai,  as,  a,  ons,  ez,  ont

Example:

• je parlerai
• tu parleras
• il parlera

Rule 2: Most  er and  ir verbs keep the infinitive

Examples:

• parler → parlerai
• finir → finiras
• choisir → choisira

Rule 3: Most  re verbs drop the final  e

Example:

• vendre → vendr 
• attendre → attendr 

So:

• je vendrai
• j’attendrai

Rule 4: Learn common irregular stems

Some high frequency verbs have special future stems.

Examples:

• être → ser 
• avoir → aur 
• aller → ir 
• faire → fer 
• venir → viendr 

Rule 5: Futur proche uses aller + infinitive

Example:

• Je vais étudier.
• I am going to study.

Do not conjugate the second verb.

Rule 6: Negation works differently depending on the construction

Futur simple:

• Je ne partirai pas.

Futur proche:

• Je ne vais pas partir.

In both cases, ne … pas surrounds the conjugated verb.

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Comparisons with Similar Grammar Forms

Futur simple vs. futur proche

The main comparison learners need to understand is between these two forms.

Futur simple	Futur proche
Je parlerai.	Je vais parler.
I will speak.	I am going to speak.
Often used for general future statements	Often used for plans or the near future
Uses future endings	Uses aller + infinitive

The difference is not always absolute. Native speakers may use either form depending on context and style.

For example:

• Je partirai demain.
• Je vais partir demain.

Both can refer to leaving tomorrow.

French future vs. French present

French sometimes uses the present tense for future events when the context makes the future meaning clear.

Compare:

• Je pars demain.
• I am leaving tomorrow.
• Je partirai demain.
• I will leave tomorrow.

The first sentence uses the present tense but clearly refers to a future event because of demain.

Futur simple vs. futur antérieur

The futur simple describes a future action:

• Je finirai le travail.
• I will finish the work.

The futur antérieur describes an action that will already be completed before another future point:

• J’aurai fini le travail avant midi.
• I will have finished the work before noon.

The futur antérieur is more advanced, so beginners should first become comfortable with the futur simple and futur proche.

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Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

Complete each sentence with the correct futur simple form.

1. Je ________ demain. (partir)
2. Elle ________ le français. (parler)
3. Nous ________ ce livre. (lire)
4. Tu ________ la réponse. (savoir)
5. Ils ________ leurs amis. (voir)

Exercise 2: Complete the futur proche

Use the correct form of aller plus the infinitive.

1. Je ________ ________ demain. (voyager)
2. Nous ________ ________ le dîner. (préparer)
3. Elle ________ ________ son professeur. (appeler)
4. Vous ________ ________ bientôt. (partir)

Exercise 3: Correct the mistakes

1. Je parlerai demain avec lui.
2. Je vais parlerai français.
3. Nous vendreons la voiture.
4. Elle allez partir ce soir.
5. Je êtreai à Paris demain.

Exercise 4: Translate into French

1. I will study tomorrow.
2. She is going to leave soon.
3. We will visit Paris.
4. They are going to eat.
5. He will have the answer.

Exercise 5: Multiple choice

1. Which is the correct futur simple of parler for “je”?

A. Je parleras
B. Je parlerai
C. Je parlera
D. Je vais parlerai

2. Which sentence uses the futur proche correctly?

A. Je vais manger.
B. Je vais mangerai.
C. Je aller manger.
D. Je vais mangé.

3. What is the future stem of être?

A. etr
B. ser
C. soi
D. être 

4. Which is correct?

A. Je vendrai.
B. Je vendreai.
C. Je vendrai pas.
D. Je vais vendrai.

Answer Key

Exercise 1

1. partirai
2. parlera
3. lirons
4. sauras
5. verront

Exercise 2

1. vais voyager
2. allons préparer
3. va appeler
4. allez partir

Exercise 3

1. Je parlerai demain avec lui.  Correct.
2. Je vais parler français.  The second verb stays infinitive.
3. Nous vendrons la voiture.  The final e is removed from vendre.
4. Elle va partir ce soir.  Use va, not allez, with elle.
5. Je serai à Paris demain.  être has the irregular future stem ser .

Exercise 4

1. J’étudierai demain.
2. Elle va partir bientôt.
3. Nous visiterons Paris.
4. Ils vont manger.
5. Il aura la réponse.

Exercise 5

1. B. Je parlerai
2. A. Je vais manger
3. B. ser 
4. A. Je vendrai

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FAQs

What is the French future tense?

The French future tense describes actions that will happen later. The most common forms are the futur simple and futur proche.

What are the endings of the French futur simple?

The standard endings are  ai,  as,  a,  ons,  ez, and  ont.

How do you form the futur simple in French?

For most  er and  ir verbs, use the infinitive and add the future endings. For most  re verbs, remove the final e first.

What is the difference between futur simple and futur proche?

The futur simple uses a future tense verb form, while the futur proche uses aller + infinitive. Futur proche is very common for plans and actions expected to happen soon.

Is futur proche used often in French?

Yes. The futur proche is very common in everyday French, especially in conversation.

What is the future tense of être?

The future forms of être use the stem ser :

• je serai
• tu seras
• il sera
• nous serons
• vous serez
• ils seront

What is the future tense of avoir?

The future forms of avoir use the stem aur :

• j’aurai
• tu auras
• il aura
• nous aurons
• vous aurez
• ils auront

How do you say “I will” in French?

It depends on the verb. For example:

• I will speak = je parlerai
• I will go = j’irai
• I will be = je serai
• I will have = j’aurai

Can French use the present tense for future events?

Yes. French can use the present tense when a future time is clear from context.

Example:

• Je pars demain.
• I am leaving tomorrow.

What is the French future perfect?

The futur antérieur describes an action that will have been completed before another future event.

Example:

• J’aurai fini avant midi.
• I will have finished before noon.

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Conclusion

The French future tense becomes much easier when you separate the main forms and learn their patterns one step at a time. The futur simple uses future endings such as  ai,  as,  a,  ons,  ez, and  ont, while the futur proche uses a conjugated form of aller followed by an infinitive.

Start with common regular verbs such as parler, finir, and vendre, then learn important irregular stems such as ser , aur , ir , fer , and viendr . Also practice choosing between the futur simple and futur proche based on the situation.

The best way to remember these forms is to use them in complete sentences. Write a few sentences about what you will do tomorrow, next week, and next year. With regular practice, French future forms will become much more natural and easier to use in both speaking and writing.