Something about the future

Comment utiliser les deux futurs en français

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Here’s something that I find fascinating.

Most people will tell you than in French, we used the conjugated future (futur simple) in writing and the future tense with aller (futur proche) in writing.

In reality, we use both when speaking!

• The futur proche is used more often

• The futur simple is also used in the spoken language

  • When the situation in the future is less certain to happen

  • As a form of imperative (especially in Quebec)

Let’s take a look at that so you can start incorporating both types of future tenses when speaking French.

In French, the future can be expressed is two ways

The first, is the futur simple, the one with those (not so) complicated conjugated forms.

• Je ferai

• J’irai

• Je prendrai

• Il fera

• On ira

• Elle prendra

The second, is called futur proche, and is similar to the Spanish use of voy a hacer esto or the English I’m going to or the Portuguese vou fazer isto.

• Je vais lui parler

  I’m going to talk to him/her

• Je vais y aller samedi

  I will go there on Saturday

Futur proche or futur simple?

There is a subtle but important difference between those ways of expressing the future.

The futur proche is viewed as more certain.

In other words, there is a higher degree of certainty of things happening in the future.

• On va y aller samedi!

  We’ll go there on Saturday (for sure)

Of course, you can talk about the future in French without using a present tense, if the context is clear.

• On y va samedi

  We’re going on Saturday

But using the futur proche reinforces the feeling of certainty.

The futur simple

When using the future tense, the futur simple, we introduce an element of uncertainty. The futur proche is more likely to happen, while the futur simple is more conditional.

• On ira samedi, si on a le temps!

  We’ll go on Saturday, if we have the time!

• On ira un de ces jours!
  We’ll go one day!

• On verra!

  We’ll see!

In those examples, there is an element of uncertainty introduced by si or by un de ces jours.

As an imperative

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In Quebec, the futur simple is also used as a softer imperative.

• Quand tu vas le recevoir, tu m’appelleras, ok?

  When you’ll receive it, please call me

• Tu fermeras la porte en partant, s’il te plait

  Can you close the door before you leave (literally: you’ll close the door…)

• Tu passeras à la poste si tu peux

  Can you go to the post office if you can? (Literally: you will go to the post office if you can).

Finally, the future simple is also used more in writing.

Exercise

Using either the futur simple or futur proche, translate the following sentences into French.

1. I’m going to call him tomorrow.

2. I’ll be back at nine.

3. He says he will fight for us.

4. We’ll go if the team is ready (use on for we).

5. I’ll go maybe one day.

6. We’ll see! (use on for we)

7. I’ll go when I’ll have the time.

8. Call me tomorrow, ok? (You’ll call me tomorrow…)

9. When will you be going to the bank? I’ll go tomorrow.

10. Please close the door before you leave! (You’ll close the door…)

Answers

1. Je vais l’appeler demain.

2. Je vais être de retour à neuf heures (ou plus formel: je serai de retour à 9 heures)

3. Il dit qu’il va se battre pour nous.

4. On ira si l’équipe est prête.

5. J’irai peut-être un jour.

6. On verra!

7. J’irai quand j’aurai le temps.

8. Tu m’appelleras demain, d’accord?

9. Quand est-ce que tu vas aller à la banque? Je vais y aller demain (ou bien: j’y vais demain).

10. Tu fermeras la porte avant de partir.