How do you form the French futur simple?

The futur simple is formed by adding endings (-ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont) to the infinitive of -er and -ir verbs: je parlerai, tu finiras. For -re verbs, drop the final -e: je vendrai. Irregular stems include: être → ser-, avoir → aur-, aller → ir-, faire → fer-, pouvoir → pourr-, vouloir → voudr-, devoir → devr-, savoir → saur-, venir → viendr-, voir → verr-.

When do you use futur simple vs futur proche?

Futur proche (aller + infinitive: Je vais manger) is for immediate or certain future plans — the equivalent of 'going to.' Futur simple (Je mangerai) is for more distant, less certain, or formal future events. In everyday spoken French, futur proche is much more common; futur simple is preferred in writing and formal contexts.

What are the irregular futur simple stems in French?

Key irregular futur simple stems: être → ser- (je serai), avoir → aur- (j'aurai), aller → ir- (j'irai), faire → fer- (je ferai), pouvoir → pourr- (je pourrai), vouloir → voudr- (je voudrai), devoir → devr- (je devrai), savoir → saur- (je saurai), venir → viendr- (je viendrai), voir → verr- (je verrai), envoyer → enverr- (j'enverrai), falloir → faudr- (il faudra), pleuvoir → pleuvr- (il pleuvra).

How many French verb tenses do I need to know?

For TEF/TCF Canada exams, you need to master about 8 key French tenses: présent, passé composé, imparfait, futur simple, futur proche, plus-que-parfait, conditionnel présent, and subjonctif présent. Literary tenses (passé simple, passé antérieur) are primarily for recognition. PrepMyFrench covers all 11 French tenses with free exercises.

What are the main French tenses?

The main French tenses are: présent (present), passé composé (compound past), imparfait (imperfect), futur simple (simple future), futur proche (near future), plus-que-parfait (pluperfect), conditionnel présent (present conditional), subjonctif présent (present subjunctive), impératif (imperative), passé récent (recent past), and passé simple (literary past).

Which French past tense should I use?

Use passé composé for completed, specific past actions (J'ai mangé une pomme). Use imparfait for ongoing descriptions, habits, and background context (Je mangeais quand il est arrivé). The choice depends on whether you're describing an event (passé composé) or setting the scene (imparfait). PrepMyFrench has a dedicated comparison page with exercises.

Where can I learn French grammar online for free?

PrepMyFrench offers a complete free French grammar course covering tenses, verbs, nouns, adjectives, pronouns, and sentence structure. All 60+ lessons include interactive exercises designed for TEF/TCF Canada exam preparation, from A1 beginner to C1 advanced levels.

What are the most important French grammar topics for the TEF/TCF exam?

The most important French grammar topics for TEF/TCF Canada are: verb tenses (présent, passé composé, imparfait, futur simple, subjonctif, conditionnel), relative pronouns (qui, que, dont, où), sentence structure (negation, interrogative forms, indirect speech), and adjective agreement. PrepMyFrench covers all of these with free exercises.

Is French grammar hard to learn?

French grammar has challenging aspects — like gendered nouns, verb conjugations, and the subjunctive mood — but it follows consistent rules. The key is structured practice. PrepMyFrench's grammar section breaks down each topic with clear explanations and 150+ interactive exercises that let you learn step by step.

How can I practice French grammar with exercises?

PrepMyFrench provides free interactive grammar exercises for every topic: multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, conjugation drills, and sentence building. Exercises are organized by level (A1-C1) and topic, with instant feedback so you can learn from mistakes immediately.

Tiempos (Tenses)

Gramática

Tiempos - Indicativo

Le Futur Simple en la gramática francesa

El futur simple corresponde al tiempo futuro simple en español (equivalente al uso de "will" en inglés). Utilizamos principalmente este tiempo para hablar de planes o intenciones futuras, así como para hacer predicciones sobre lo que puede ocurrir en el futuro. Conjugamos el tiempo futuro añadiendo las terminaciones -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez y -ont al infinitivo del verbo.

Cuándo utilizar el futur simple en francés

para hablar de intenciones futuras

para hacer suposiciones o predicciones sobre el futuro

en oraciones condicionales (oraciones con "si")

Cómo conjugar el futur simple en francés

InfinitiveEndings

FORMULA

-ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont

Excepciones

For -RE verbs, drop the final -e: vendre → vendr-
For -yer verbs, change y → i: employer → emploier-

Irregular Future Stems

avoir → aur- (j'aurai)

être → ser- (je serai)

aller → ir- (j'irai)

faire → fer- (je ferai)

Cómo formar la negación con el futur simple

Ne... PasWrap ne…pas around the verb: Je ne parlerai pas.

Le soleil ne se lèvera pas toujours.

See it in real sentences

Je partirai en vacances l'été prochain.

I will leave on vacation next summer.

Tu seras médecin un jour.

You will be a doctor one day.

Elle finira ses études dans deux ans.

She will finish her studies in two years.

Nous aurons une réunion demain matin.

We will have a meeting tomorrow morning.

Ils viendront nous voir le mois prochain.

They will come to see us next month.

Quand tu arriveras, je serai déjà parti.

When you arrive, I will already have left.

A mistake to avoid

Avoid this

Si je serai libre, je viendrai.

Say this instead

Si je suis libre, je viendrai.

Why: SI never takes futur simple. After si, use présent for type 1 conditionals: Si je suis libre, je viendrai. The futur goes in the result clause only.

Avoid this

Quand je serai arrivé, je te téléphonerai.

Say this instead

Quand je serai arrivé, je te téléphonerai. (correct)

Why: In temporal clauses with quand/lorsque/dès que, French uses futur (or futur antérieur) in BOTH clauses for future events. This differs from English: 'When I arrive, I'll call' → 'Quand j'arriverai, je t'appellerai.'

Avoid this

J'acheterai une maison. (with incorrect stem)

Say this instead

J'achèterai une maison.

Why: -ER verbs with é/è in the stem: acheter → j'achèterai, lever → je lèverai. Don't forget the accent change for these stem-changing verbs.

An easy way to remember

💃 Avoir's Ending Dance

Futur simple endings are like a remix of avoir: -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont. For -er and -ir verbs, just add them to the infinitive: parler-ai, finir-as. For -re verbs, drop the -e: vendr-ai. The irregular stems are the rebel group — they keep their own stems but use the same endings: ser-ai, aur-as, fer-a. Same endings, different dance moves!

TEF/TCF tip

Futur simple is a B1 grammar point in TEF/TCF. At B1, regular formation and common irregular stems (ser-, aur-, ir-, fer-, pourr-) are tested. At B2, futur antérieur (j'aurai fini) and si-clause distinctions. The irregular stems are essential: être→ser-, avoir→aur-, aller→ir-, faire→fer-, pouvoir→pourr-, vouloir→voudr-, devoir→devr-, savoir→saur-, venir→viendr-, voir→verr-.

How people use this

Discussing future career plans:

Père

Qu'est-ce que tu feras après tes études ?

Fille

Je serai avocate, j'espère. Je travaillerai dans un grand cabinet.

Père

Tu devras beaucoup étudier. Mais tu pourras réussir.

Fille

Je sais. Un jour, je viendrai te remercier pour tout ton soutien.

PRACTICE THIS TOPIC

Le Futur Simple — Free Exercise

FREE EXERCISES

Test yourself with 20 interactive questions on tenses/futur-simple. Get instant scoring with detailed explanations for every answer. Track your progress on PrepMyFrench.

Verb Conjugator — Future Tense

FREE TOOL

Type any French verb into PrepMyFrench's conjugator and see its complete futur simple conjugation, including all irregular stems.

Your next step

Recommended next lesson

Futur Proche

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