Le futur simple
The future simple (le futur simple), is used to discuss what will happen in the future. The future simple is used to describe:
1. The action is in the future but not necessarily soon
2. More neutral, formal, or detached
3. Used for predictions, promises, facts, or distant plans
Example:
Demain, je mangerai une pizza. (Tomorrow, I will eat a pizza.)
→ Fact
J’étudierai le droit un jour. (I will study law one day.)
→ Long-term plan, not immediate.
Il fera froid demain. ( It will be cold tomorrow.)
→ Prediction.
Nous partirons en France l’année prochaine. ( We will go to France next year.)
→ Future event, not connected to “right now”.
Mental idea: “This will happen.”
How to form the future simple
The formula is: Infinitive + future endings
Future endings (same for all verbs):
| Subject | Ending |
|---|---|
| je | -ai |
| tu | -as |
| il/elle/on | -a |
| nous | -ons |
| vous | -ez |
| ils/elles | -ont |
Here some examples:
|
Parler |
Réussir |
Vendre |
|
Je parlerai Tu parleras il parlera Nous parlerons Vous parlerez Ils parleront |
je réussirai tu réussiras il réussira nous réussirons vous réussirez ils réussiront |
je vendrai tu vendras il vendra nous vendrons vous vendrez ils vendront |
How to remember whether a verb in the future tense has one “r” or double “rr”:
A useful way to remember whether a verb in the future tense has one “r” or double “rr” is by looking at the stem of the verb in the infinitive and its irregular forms. Here are some tips:
1. Verbs that keep a single “r” in the future
These verbs already end in -re or -ir, and they don’t need an extra “r”:
- Faire → ferai
- Pouvoir → pourrai
- Voir → verrai (exception: it looks like it should keep one “r”, but it doubles)
- Savoir → saurai
- Devoir → devrai
📌 Trick: If the root already sounds strong with “r” (e.g., “faire” → “fer”), it stays with one “r.”
2. Verbs that double the “r” in the future
These verbs typically end in -rir, -dre, or -oir and change to include a double “r”:
- Envoyer → enverrai
- Voir → verrai
- Mourir → mourrai
- Courir → courrai
📌 Trick: If the verb undergoes a significant change in its root (e.g., “envoyer” → “enverr-“), it often doubles the “r.”
Mnemonic to remember “rr” verbs
Think of the phrase:
“Very Excited Cows Move Rapidly” → VECMR
- Voir → verrai
- Envoyer → enverrai
- Courir → courrai
- Mourir → mourrai
- Recevoir → recevrai
Final Tip
If you’re unsure, think of common future forms like “je ferai” and “j’enverrai” to reinforce the pattern. Most verbs don’t double the “r,” except those that sound like they need it for pronunciation reasons. 😊
French grammar about future tense. Click on the button of your interest:
Postériotité
In future tense it helps if you add these words to express future:
Main differences between simple future (futur simple) and near future (futur proche)
| Aspect | Futur proche | Futur simple |
|---|---|---|
| Time feeling | Very near / soon | Near or far |
| Intention | Strong, already decided | More neutral |
| Link to present | Strong | Weaker |
| Style | Spoken, everyday | Neutral / formal |
Key idea
Futur proche = something you are about to do
Futur simple = something that will happen
Learn about Near Future (future proche) here:
Le Futur Proche
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