French grammar · Elementary (A2)
The futur simple: will
How to form the futur simple, the irregular stems of common verbs, and when to use it instead of aller + infinitive.
How to form it
The means “will”: (it will be nice). Take the infinitive and add -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont. These endings look like the present of . Verbs ending in -re drop the final e first: , .
Every form has an r before the ending. That r is the sound to listen for.
| Subject | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| / / | |||
| / |
Irregular stems
Some very common verbs have an irregular stem, but they always take the same endings. Verbs like and change their spelling in the future: , .
| Infinitive | Stem | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ser- | ||
| aur- | ||
| fer- | ||
| ir- | ||
| viendr- | ||
| pourr- | ||
| voudr- | ||
| verr- | ||
| devr- | ||
| pleuvr- |
Futur simple or aller + infinitive?
In conversation, the near future () is the most common way to talk about plans. The futur simple is typical of forecasts, predictions, promises and more formal language, and it's also natural for plans further ahead.
In the negative, ne… pas goes around the verb: (I'll never forget), (You won't need a car).
- Demain, il pleuvra en Bretagne.Tomorrow it will rain in Brittany.
- Je vous enverrai l'adresse.I'll send you the address.
- On verra ça demain.We'll see about that tomorrow.