Futur Simple vs Futur Proche: When to Use Each in French

Two Ways to Talk About the Future

French has two main ways to express the future: the futur proche (near future) and the futur simple (simple future). While they often overlap, choosing between them can signal how near, certain, or formal the event is — and at B2 and above, native speakers use them distinctly.

The Futur Proche (Aller + Infinitive)

Formed with the present tense of aller + infinitive: je vais, tu vas, il va, nous allons, vous allez, ils vont.

• Je vais manger dans cinq minutes. (I'm going to eat in five minutes.)
• Elle va appeler son frère ce soir. (She's going to call her brother tonight.)
• On va partir en vacances la semaine prochaine. (We're going on holiday next week.)

Use the futur proche for: events happening soon, events you're confident will happen, and spontaneous announcements.

The Futur Simple

Formed with the infinitive + these endings: -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont. For -re verbs, drop the final e first.

• je parlerai, tu parleras, il parlera…
• je finirai, tu finiras…
• je vendrai, tu vendras…

Key irregular stems: être → ser-, avoir → aur-, aller → ir-, faire → fer-, vouloir → voudr-, pouvoir → pourr-.

When the Futur Simple Is the Better Choice

• More distant or uncertain future: Dans dix ans, je vivrai peut-être au Canada. (In ten years, I might live in Canada.)
• Formal writing and speeches: News articles, official announcements, and formal letters use the futur simple.
• After "quand" or "lorsque" (a key grammar rule!): Quand tu arriveras, appelle-moi. (When you arrive, call me.) — NOT "quand tu vas arriver".
• Predictions and promises: Ça ira mieux demain. (It will be better tomorrow.)

The "Quand" Rule — A Classic Exam Trap

In English, we use the present tense after "when" to talk about the future: "When I arrive, I'll call." In French, you must use the futur simple in both clauses — this is a rule that many learners miss and examiners test.

• ✅ Quand il sera prêt, nous partirons. (When he is ready, we will leave.)
• ❌ Quand il est prêt, nous partirons. — INCORRECT

Quick Decision Guide

• Happening soon, certain → futur proche
• Distant future, hypothetical, formal → futur simple
• After quand / lorsque / dès que / aussitôt que → futur simple (always)