Le Futur Simple (The Simple Future Tense)

The futur simple is used to talk about future actions, intentions, predictions, promises, and events that have not yet happened. It is the equivalent of the English will + verb. Unlike the futur proche, which is used for actions that are about to happen, the futur simple is generally used for future events that are more distant, less immediate, or simply viewed as future facts.

When to Use the Futur Simple

1. Future Actions and Plans

Use the futur simple to talk about actions that will happen in the future.

Examples

  • Je voyagerai en France l’année prochaine.
    I will travel to France next year.
  • Nous déménagerons en septembre.
    We will move in September.
  • Elle commencera son nouveau travail lundi.
    She will start her new job on Monday.

2. Predictions

Use the futur simple to express predictions or expectations.

Examples

  • Il fera beau demain.
    It will be nice tomorrow.
  • Tu réussiras ton examen.
    You will pass your exam.
  • Les prix augmenteront bientôt.
    Prices will increase soon.

3. Promises

Use the futur simple when making promises or commitments.

Examples

  • Je t’aiderai demain.
    I will help you tomorrow.
  • Nous reviendrons bientôt.
    We will come back soon.
  • Je ne t’oublierai jamais.
    I will never forget you.

4. Offers and Assurances

The futur simple is often used to reassure someone or offer help.

Examples

  • Je porterai tes sacs.
    I will carry your bags.
  • Vous recevrez une réponse rapidement.
    You will receive a reply soon.

5. Future Time Clauses

In French, after expressions such as quand, lorsque, dès que, and aussitôt que, the verb is usually in the futur simple, even though English often uses the present tense.

Examples

  • Quand tu arriveras, nous dînerons.
    When you arrive, we will have dinner.
  • Dès qu’il finira son travail, il rentrera.
    As soon as he finishes his work, he will go home.
  • Lorsque nous aurons le temps, nous visiterons Paris.
    When we have time, we will visit Paris.

How to Form the Futur Simple

For most verbs, the future endings are added to the infinitive.

For -re verbs, remove the final -e before adding the endings.

Future Endings

Subject Ending
Je -ai
Tu -as
Il / Elle / On -a
Nous -ons
Vous -ez
Ils / Elles -ont

Example: Parler (to speak)

Subject Conjugation
Je parlerai
Tu parleras
Il / Elle / On parlera
Nous parlerons
Vous parlerez
Ils / Elles parleront

Example: Finir (to finish)

Subject Conjugation
Je finirai
Tu finiras
Il / Elle / On finira
Nous finirons
Vous finirez
Ils / Elles finiront

Example: Vendre (to sell)

Subject Conjugation
Je vendrai
Tu vendras
Il / Elle / On vendra
Nous vendrons
Vous vendrez
Ils / Elles vendront

Common Irregular Verbs

Some verbs have irregular future stems but keep the same endings.

Infinitive Future Stem Example
être ser- Je serai
avoir aur- Tu auras
aller ir- Nous irons
faire fer- Elle fera
venir viendr- Ils viendront
pouvoir pourr- Je pourrai
vouloir voudr- Vous voudrez
devoir devr- Il devra
savoir saur- Tu sauras
voir verr- Nous verrons

Spelling Changes

Some verbs change spelling before adding the future endings.

Verbs ending in -yer

  • employer → j’emploierai
  • payer → je paierai / je payerai

Verbs ending in -eler and -eter

  • appeler → j’appellerai
  • jeter → je jetterai

Other Changes

  • courir → je courrai
  • mourir → je mourrai

Negative Sentences

Place ne…pas around the conjugated verb.

Examples

  • Je ne partirai pas demain.
    I will not leave tomorrow.
  • Ils ne viendront pas ce soir.
    They will not come tonight.
  • Nous n’oublierons jamais cette journée.
    We will never forget this day.

Questions

Examples

  • Partiras-tu demain ?
    Will you leave tomorrow?
  • Quand reviendrez-vous ?
    When will you come back?
  • Est-ce qu’elle acceptera notre invitation ?
    Will she accept our invitation?

Common Time Expressions

French English
demain tomorrow
bientôt soon
la semaine prochaine next week
le mois prochain next month
l’année prochaine next year
plus tard later
un jour one day

Examples

  • Nous partirons la semaine prochaine.
    We will leave next week.
  • Elle achètera une maison l’année prochaine.
    She will buy a house next year.

Futur Simple vs Futur Proche

Futur Simple Futur Proche
Future plans, predictions, promises Actions about to happen or already planned
Often used in writing and formal speech Very common in everyday conversation
Je voyagerai en Italie l’année prochaine. Je vais voyager en Italie cet été.

Story Example

French

L’été prochain, ma famille ira en Provence. Nous visiterons de petits villages, nous goûterons la cuisine locale et nous passerons quelques jours près de la mer. Je prendrai beaucoup de photos et j’enverrai des cartes postales à mes amis. Je suis sûr que ce voyage sera inoubliable.

English

Next summer, my family will go to Provence. We will visit small villages, taste the local cuisine, and spend a few days by the sea. I will take lots of photos and send postcards to my friends. I’m sure this trip will be unforgettable.

Quick Tips

Use the futur simple when you want to:

  • ✔ Talk about future plans.
  • ✔ Make predictions.
  • ✔ Express promises or offers.
  • ✔ Describe future events after quand, lorsque, or dès que.
  • ✔ Write in a more formal style.

Summary

The futur simple is the standard French future tense used for plans, predictions, promises, and future facts. It is formed by adding the endings -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont to the infinitive (or to an irregular future stem). Learning the common irregular stems and understanding when to use the futur simple instead of the futur proche will help you speak and write French more naturally and accurately.