Futur Proche vs Futur Simple
French has two everyday ways to talk about the future: je vais partir and je partirai. Textbooks often say one is “near” and the other “far”, but that is only part of the story. Here is how they are really used.
In this guide
The short answer
- Futur proche (je vais partir): plans, intentions and things that are about to happen, especially in speech. It is very common in conversation.
- Futur simple (je partirai): predictions, promises, conditions and more formal contexts, especially in writing. It is also required after quand when the meaning is future.
How to form them
Futur proche: aller in the present + infinitive.
| aller + infinitive | |
|---|---|
| je | vais partir |
| tu | vas partir |
| il / elle / on | va partir |
| nous | allons partir |
| vous | allez partir |
| ils / elles | vont partir |
Negative: Je ne vais pas partir. The negation surrounds aller.
Futur simple: infinitive + endings.
| parler | finir | prendre | |
|---|---|---|---|
| je | parlerai | finirai | prendrai |
| tu | parleras | finiras | prendras |
| il / elle / on | parlera | finira | prendra |
| nous | parlerons | finirons | prendrons |
| vous | parlerez | finirez | prendrez |
| ils / elles | parleront | finiront | prendront |
Verbs in -re drop the final e. Common irregular stems: être → ser-, avoir → aur-, aller → ir-, faire → fer-, pouvoir → pourr-, vouloir → voudr-, devoir → devr-, venir → viendr-, voir → verr-, savoir → saur-, falloir → il faudra.
When to use the futur proche
1. Plans and intentions
- Ce week-end, je vais voir mes parents.
- L’année prochaine, on va déménager.
2. Something about to happen, based on what you see now
- Regarde ces nuages : il va pleuvoir.
- Attention, tu vas tomber !
3. Everyday conversation in general In spoken French, the futur proche is very common, even for events far away: Dans dix ans, je vais avoir quarante ans.
When to use the futur simple
1. Predictions and statements about the more distant or uncertain future
- Un jour, tu comprendras.
- Les prix augmenteront encore l’année prochaine.
2. Promises
- Je te téléphonerai demain, promis.
- Je ne l’oublierai jamais.
3. Conditions: si + présent, futur simple
- Si tu travailles, tu réussiras.
4. Formal writing, instructions and announcements
- La réunion aura lieu le 12 mars.
- Les candidats devront présenter une pièce d’identité.
The big trap: quand + future
In English, you say “When I arrive, I’ll call you”, with a present tense. In French, if the meaning is future, the verb after quand is also in the future:
- ✗ Quand j’arrive à Montréal, je t’appellerai.
- ✔ Quand j’arriverai à Montréal, je t’appellerai.
The same rule applies after dès que (as soon as), lorsque (when) and aussitôt que (as soon as):
- Dès qu’elle sera prête, on partira.
This is one of the most common mistakes made by English speakers, and examiners notice it.
Which one sounds more natural?
| Situation | More natural choice |
|---|---|
| Talking about your weekend plans | futur proche |
| A friend is about to drop a glass | futur proche |
| A formal email or letter | futur simple |
| A promise | futur simple |
| A si condition | futur simple |
| After quand, dès que, lorsque (future meaning) | futur simple |
| A prediction in an essay | futur simple |
In many sentences, both are correct. Demain, je vais travailler and demain, je travaillerai are both fine. The futur proche simply sounds more conversational.
Why it matters in exams
- Speaking: the futur proche sounds natural when you talk about your plans in the TCF, TEF or DELF.
- Writing: the futur simple, especially after quand and in si sentences, shows the examiner that you control more advanced structures.
Practice
Put the verb in the future tense indicated. Where no tense is given, only one is correct.
- Regarde ces nuages : il ______ (pleuvoir, futur proche).
- Quand je ______ (être) à Montréal, je t’appellerai.
- Dans dix ans, nous ______ (avoir, futur simple) une maison.
- Si tu travailles, tu ______ (réussir, futur simple).
- Je te promets que je n’______ (oublier) pas.
- Dès qu’elle ______ (arriver), on mangera.
- Attention, tu ______ (tomber, futur proche) !
- Ils ______ (venir, futur simple) demain.
- Il ______ (falloir, futur simple) partir tôt.
- Ce soir, je ______ (ne pas sortir, futur proche).
Show the answers
- va pleuvoir
- serai
- aurons
- réussiras
- oublierai
- arrivera
- vas tomber
- viendront
- faudra
- ne vais pas sortir
Frequently asked questions
Is the futur proche only for the near future?
No. Despite its name, it is used for plans and intentions at any distance, especially in speech.
Do I use the future after quand?
Yes, when the meaning is future: Quand je serai grand… This is different from English.
Is the futur simple disappearing?
No. It is less frequent in casual conversation, but it is standard in writing, promises, conditions and after quand.