Le futur proche: the near future in French
What is the futur proche?
Le futur proche, also known as le 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.
Learn all about the futur proche in French grammar with Lingolia’s quick and easy examples, then test your knowledge in the exercises.
Contents
Christine va partir dans deux secondes.
Elle va aller au supermarché.
When to use the futur proche in French
We use the futur proche in the following cases:
- to talk about an action that will take place shortly
- Example:
- Christine va partir dans deux secondes.Christine is going to leave in two seconds.
- to talk about a planned action in the near future
- Example:
- Elle va aller au supermarché.She’s going to go to the supermarket.
Futur simple vs. futur proche
The futur simple and the futur proche are used in different contexts, sometimes comparable to the English will vs. going to:
Use the futur simple:
- to express events in the more distant future (signal words: dans une semaine, l’année prochaine …)
- Example:
- J’habiterai encore à Paris dans deux ans.In two years I will still be living in Paris.
- in sentences that contain a subordinate clause introduced by quand, lorsque or dès que.
- Example:
- Nous sortirons quand la pluie s’arrêtera.We’ll go out when the rain stops.
- in writing
Use the futur proche:
- for the immediate future (signal words: dans une minute, dans une heure, ce soir …)
- Example:
- Je vais dîner avec Jacques et Estelle ce soir.I’m going to have dinner with Jacques and Estelle tonight.
- in spoken French
How to conjugate the futur proche in French
To conjugate the futur proche, we use the present tense of the verb aller as an auxiliary verb, followed by the infinitive of the main verb.
| Person | aller | Infinitive |
|---|---|---|
| 1st person singular (I) | je vais |
aimer finir vendre |
| 2nd person singular (you) | tu vas | |
| 3rd person singular (he/she/it) | il/elle/on va | |
| 1st person plural (we) | nous allons | |
| 2nd person plural (you) | vous allez | |
| 3rd person plural (they) | ils/elles vont |
