This French A2 lesson explains futur simple and futur proche step by step, with examples in French and English. Then practise with the worksheet on futur simple and futur proche and check yourself with the quiz.
Quick answer: Use the futur proche (aller + infinitive) for plans that are decided and close, and the futur simple (infinitive + -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont) for promises, timetables and bookings. Both talk about the future, but conversation prefers the futur proche when you plan a trip.
Level: French A2 (CEFR elementary) · Standards: CEFR A2, Spoken production
Futur simple and futur proche: the lesson
How do you talk about a trip you are planning?
French offers two everyday ways to speak about the future. Choose by situation: is the plan decided and close, or is it a promise, a timetable or something that depends on another moment?
Futur proche: aller + infinitive
Conjugate aller in the present, then add the infinitive of the action. Use it for plans you have already made.
| Pronoun | aller | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | vais | Je vais réserver une place. | I’m going to book a seat. |
| tu | vas | Tu vas rater le train ! | You’re going to miss the train! |
| il / elle | va | Elle va changer de quai. | She’s going to change platforms. |
| nous | allons | Nous allons dormir en couchette. | We’re going to sleep in a berth. |
| vous | allez | Vous allez arriver tôt. | You’ll arrive early. |
| ils / elles | vont | Ils vont louer une voiture. | They’re going to rent a car. |
How do you form the futur simple?
Futur simple: infinitive + endings
Keep the whole infinitive and add -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont. Verbs in -re drop the final e: prendre → je prendrai. Spelling-change verbs keep their change: j’achèterai, j’appellerai.
| Pronoun | partir | prendre |
|---|---|---|
| je | partirai | prendrai |
| tu | partiras | prendras |
| il / elle | partira | prendra |
| nous | partirons | prendrons |
| vous | partirez | prendrez |
| ils / elles | partiront | prendront |
Some very common verbs use an irregular stem, but the endings never change:
| Infinitive | Stem | je form |
|---|---|---|
| aller | ir- | j’irai |
| être | ser- | je serai |
| avoir | aur- | j’aurai |
| faire | fer- | je ferai |
| venir | viendr- | je viendrai |
| pouvoir | pourr- | je pourrai |
| voir | verr- | je verrai |
How do you book a train or a flight?
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un aller simple | one-way ticket |
| un aller-retour | round-trip ticket |
| réserver une place | to book a seat |
| le quai, la voie | platform, track |
| une correspondance | connection (change of train) |
| un retard | delay |
| l’enregistrement (m.) | check-in |
| la porte d’embarquement | boarding gate |
Useful sentences
- Je voudrais un aller-retour pour Lyon, vendredi matin. — I’d like a round-trip ticket to Lyon, Friday morning.
- Le train partira du quai 7 à 8 h 15. — The train will leave from platform 7 at 8:15.
- Nous allons rater la correspondance ! — We’re going to miss the connection!
Common mistake
After quand and dès que, English uses the present but French uses the future: Quand nous arriverons à Lyon, nous déjeunerons. — When we arrive in Lyon, we’ll have lunch. Also never combine the two futures: not je vais prendrai.
Culture note
French timetables and tickets use the 24-hour clock: 18 h 05 means 6:05 p.m. Say dix-huit heures cinq aloud.
Zoé’s tip
Ask two questions before you speak. Decided and soon? Use aller. A promise, a schedule, or after quand? Use the futur simple.
Key points to remember
- Futur proche: present of aller + infinitive, as in je vais réserver.
- Futur simple: infinitive + -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont; -re verbs lose the final e.
- Irregular stems include ir-, ser-, aur-, fer-, viendr-, pourr-.
- After quand and dès que, French uses the future.
- Un aller simple is one way; un aller-retour is a round trip.
Planning and Booking Your Trip: frequently asked questions
When do I use the futur proche and when the futur simple?
Use the futur proche for a plan already decided that will happen soon. Use the futur simple for promises, schedules, formal announcements and after quand or dès que.
How do I form the futur simple of regular verbs?
Take the full infinitive and add -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont. Verbs ending in -re drop the final e, so prendre becomes je prendrai.
How do I ask for a round-trip ticket?
Say Je voudrais un aller-retour pour Lyon, s’il vous plaît. For a one-way ticket, say un aller simple.
Can I use the present tense for a future plan?
Yes. With a time expression, French often uses the present: Je pars demain. It sounds natural and is very common in speech.
Why does French use the future after quand?
If the action in the quand clause has not happened yet, French puts it in the future. English uses the present there, so this is a classic trap.