The French future tensesTalking about the future

• The futur proche (near future tense) describes what is going to happen with certainty and is very commonly used in French. For example, Je vais faire les courses. – I’m going to do some shopping.
• The futur simple (simple future) describes what will happen for predictions and future projects and in sentences with si and quand. For example, J’irai à l’université si j’ai mon bac. - I’ll go to university if I pass my A levels.
• Verbs that denote a future wish, with an infinitive, are often used to talk about the future. For example, Je voudrais aller à l’université à l’avenir. – I would like to go to university in the future.

Useful verbs denoting a future wish include:

• je voudrais + infinitive (I would like to/I’d like to)
• je veux + infinitive (I want to)
• j’espère + infinitive (I hope to)
• j’ai l’intention de + infinitive (I plan to)

The future can also be expressed using the present tense with a future time phrase. For example, on va au cinéma cet après-midi. – we’re going to the cinema this afternoon.

Useful future time phrases that can be used with any of the above structures include:

When using quand (when) to refer to a time in the future, a future verb is needed, eg quand j’aurai 18 ans – when I am 18.