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Tenses
The futur proche, also known as the futur composé, is used to talk about actions in the near future. It corresponds to the English structure going to + infinitive, and emphasises that there is already an intention behind the action.
The futur simple is used for distant future, formal contexts, and after quand/lorsque.
The futur proche is the go-to future tense in spoken French for near-future events.
EXAMPLES
Je vais manger. Tu vas partir.
Je vais partir en vacances demain.
I'm going to leave on vacation tomorrow.
Nous allons manger dans dix minutes.
We're going to eat in ten minutes.
Elle va avoir un bébé.
She's going to have a baby.
Tu vas voir, tout ira bien.
You're going to see, everything will be fine.
On va arriver en retard !
We're going to arrive late!
Je vais te raconter une histoire.
I'm going to tell you a story.
Avoid this
Je vais aller au cinéma.
Say this instead
Je vais au cinéma. / Je vais aller au cinéma.
Why: Vais aller is grammatically correct but sounds awkward. French speakers avoid it: use simple présent (Je vais au cinéma) or futur simple (J'irai au cinéma). However, 'je vais aller' is acceptable and commonly used.
Avoid this
Je vais partir. (used for distant future)
Say this instead
Je vais partir. / Je partirai.
Why: Futur proche is for IMMEDIATE or CERTAIN future. For distant/uncertain future, use futur simple: Je partirai (I will leave). Using futur proche for distant events sounds awkward.
Avoid this
Aller + infinitif is only for futur proche.
Say this instead
Aller + infinitif = futur proche. But also used in passé récent: Je viens de + infinitif.
Why: Don't confuse futur proche (aller + inf) with passé récent (venir de + inf). Je vais manger = I'm going to eat. Je viens de manger = I just ate.
🚀 Aller = The Launch Button
Futur proche = ALLER (conjugated) + INFINITIVE. Think of aller as your 'launch button' — press it (conjugate aller) and the infinitive rocket launches into the immediate future. Je VAIS manger (I'm GOING to eat). Tu VAS comprendre (You're GOING to understand). It's the easiest French future tense — if you know aller and the infinitive, you can express any future action!
Futur proche is tested at A2 in TEF/TCF as the first future tense. At A2, examiners check basic aller + infinitive formation. At B1, futur proche vs futur simple distinction: use futur proche for immediate plans (Je vais partir) and futur simple for distant/predictive future (Je partirai l'année prochaine). In the oral exam, futur proche sounds more natural for describing your immediate plans.
Making plans for tonight:
Luc
Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire ce soir ?
Emma
Je vais regarder un film. Et toi ?
Luc
Je vais retrouver des amis au restaurant. On va essayer le nouveau italien.
Emma
Bonne idée ! Je vais vous rejoindre après le film.
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Futur Simple