Simple future regular formation

Level 2

The futur simple is the standard future tense in French, equivalent to 'will' in English. It is formed by taking the infinitive and adding the endings: -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont.

How It Works

The futur simple is a synthetic tense, meaning the ending is attached directly to the verb stem without an auxiliary verb like 'aller'.

1. Formation for Regular Verbs
For most verbs, the stem is the entire infinitive. You then add the endings derived from the verb avoir:

  • -er verbs: parler → je parlerai
  • -ir verbs: finir → tu finiras
  • -re verbs: You must drop the final -e before adding endings. vendre → il vendra

2. Usage and Nuance
While the futur proche suggests a link to the present (intentions), the futur simple is used for:

  • Predictions: Weather reports or horoscopes.
  • Promises: 'I will help you tomorrow.'
  • Formal Writing: Journalism and literature.
  • Temporal Clauses: Used after words like quand or dès que when the action is in the future (e.g., quand + futur).

3. The 'R' Sound
A key characteristic of the future tense is the presence of the letter 'r' immediately before the ending. This 'r' is the audible marker that distinguishes the future from the present tense.

Examples (5)

  1. Je mangerai avec toi demain soir.

    I will eat with you tomorrow evening.

    Word by Word: I eat-will with you tomorrow evening.

    A simple statement of a future fact using the infinitive 'manger' as the stem.

  2. Il pleuvra sur Paris toute la journée.

    It will rain over Paris all day.

    Word by Word: It rain-will over Paris all the day.

    The futur simple is the standard tense for weather predictions.

  3. Si tu étudies, tu réussiras l'examen.

    If you study, you will pass the exam.

    Word by Word: If you study, you succeed-will the exam.

    This follows the Si + present, futur pattern for real conditions.

  4. Nous attendrons le bus devant la gare.

    We will wait for the bus in front of the station.

    Word by Word: We wait-will the bus in front of the station.

    For -re verbs like 'attendre', the final 'e' is dropped before adding the ending '-ons'.

  5. Je t'appellerai dès que j'arriverai.

    I will call you as soon as I arrive.

    Word by Word: I you call-will as soon as I arrive-will.

    In French, the future tense is required after 'dès que' if the action hasn't happened yet, unlike in English.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting to drop the 'e' in -re verbs.

    Je vendrerai ma voiture.
    Je vendrai ma voiture.

    For verbs ending in -re, you must remove the 'e' to keep the 'r' as the final letter of the stem before adding endings.

  • Confusing the futur simple with the conditionnel présent.

    Je mangerai si j'avais faim.
    Je mangerais si j'avais faim.

    The future (mangerai) and conditional (mangerais) share the same stem but have different endings. The future uses -ai, while the conditional uses -ais.

  • Using the present tense after 'quand' for future actions.

    Je te verrai quand tu arrives.
    Je te verrai quand tu arriveras.

    In English, we use the present after 'when', but French requires the future tense if the main action is in the future.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Simple future regular formationLevel 2

Learn This First

To form the futur simple, you need to know the infinitive forms of regular -er, -ir, and -re verbs. The endings themselves are identical to the present tense endings of 'avoir' (except for the nous and vous forms, which follow the regular present tense pattern). Understanding how to handle the final -e in -re verbs is also essential for correct stem formation.