The simple future (le futur simple) is used to express actions that will happen in the future. It's formed by adding specific endings to the infinitive form of the verb (or a modified stem for irregular verbs). French also has the futur proche, aller + infinitive (je vais partir), for a near or planned future. It is used for:
- Actions that will happen in the future
- Predictions and hypotheses
- Promises and commitments
- Scheduled or planned events
- General truths about the future
Regular Conjugations
| Pronoun | -er | -ir (finir type) | -re |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | -erai | -irai | -rai |
| tu | -eras | -iras | -ras |
| il/elle/on | -era | -ira | -ra |
| nous | -erons | -irons | -rons |
| vous | -erez | -irez | -rez |
| ils/elles | -eront | -iront | -ront |
The endings attach to the whole infinitive: parler and -ai.
Regular -er verb: parler in Futur Simple
-ir verbs keep their infinitive as well: finir and -ai.
Regular -ir verb: finir in Futur Simple
-re verbs drop the final e first: vendre becomes vendr-.
Regular -re verb: vendre in Futur Simple
Common Irregular Verbs
These verbs change the stem; the endings never change.
| Pronoun | être | avoir | aller | faire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | serai | aurai | irai | ferai |
| tu | seras | auras | iras | feras |
| il/elle/on | sera | aura | ira | fera |
| nous | serons | aurons | irons | ferons |
| vous | serez | aurez | irez | ferez |
| ils/elles | seront | auront | iront | feront |
Common Stem Changes
Some verbs have irregular stems but regular endings:
- venir → viendr- (je viendrai)
- tenir → tiendr- (je tiendrai)
- voir → verr- (je verrai)
- pouvoir → pourr- (je pourrai)
- devoir → devr- (je devrai)
- recevoir → recevr- (je recevrai)
- envoyer → enverr- (j'enverrai)