Near future – aller + infinitive
Je vais manger
The futur proche (near future) is the easiest way to talk about the future, and the one French people use most in conversation. It works exactly like English going to.
How to form it
aller (present tense) + infinitive
| je vais | partir |
|---|---|
| tu vas | voir |
| il / elle / on va | manger |
| nous allons | danser |
| vous allez | finir |
| ils / elles vont | dormir |
- Je vais appeler Marie.I'm going to call Marie.
- Il va pleuvoir.It's going to rain.
- Nous allons déménager en juin.We're going to move in June.
- Qu'est-ce que tu vas faire ce week-end ?What are you going to do this weekend?
Negative
Ne … pas goes around aller:
- Je ne vais pas sortir ce soir.I'm not going to go out tonight.
Pronouns
Object and reflexive pronouns go before the infinitive:
- Je vais le faire.I'm going to do it.
- On va se promener.We're going to go for a walk.
Futur proche vs futur simple
Both talk about the future. The futur proche is more common in speech, especially for plans and things that are about to happen. The futur simple (je partirai) is more neutral and more common in writing. See Simple future.
Practice
- I'm going to eat.Options: Je vais manger. · Je vais mange. · Je mange aller.
Show the answer
Je vais manger.
- Tu _____ voir.
Show the answer
vas
- Nous _____ danser.
Show the answer
allons
- Ils vont _____. (finir)
Show the answer
finir
In the app, this lesson is taught one idea at a time with the examples read aloud, followed by questions that explain the rule when you get one wrong. It then comes back for review on later days until you've mastered it.