Simple future – regular verbs
Je parlerai, nous finirons
The futur simple says what will happen. It's built on the infinitive, so regular verbs are easy.
How to form it
infinitive + endings (which look like the present of avoir):
| ending | parler | finir | vendre | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| je | -ai | parlerai | finirai | vendrai |
| tu | -as | parleras | finiras | vendras |
| il / elle | -a | parlera | finira | vendra |
| nous | -ons | parlerons | finirons | vendrons |
| vous | -ez | parlerez | finirez | vendrez |
| ils / elles | -ont | parleront | finiront | vendront |
-re verbs drop the final e: vendre → vendr-, prendre → prendr-, écrire → écrir-.
- Je te téléphonerai demain.I'll call you tomorrow.
- Nous partirons à huit heures.We'll leave at eight.
- Ils vendront la maison.They'll sell the house.
Spelling-change verbs
-eler/-eter and e + consonant + er verbs keep the change in every future form:
- appeler → j'appellerai, acheter → j'achèterai, lever → je lèverai
- payer → je paierai (or payerai), envoyer → j'enverrai (irregular)
But préférer, espérer keep é: je préférerai.
Pronunciation
The r is always heard: je parlerai (parl-ré). The e in the middle is often swallowed.
Futur simple vs futur proche
- Je vais partir.I'm going to leave. (plan, soon, conversational)
- Je partirai.I will leave. (neutral, more formal, promises, predictions)
Irregular stems: Simple future.
Practice
- Je _____ demain. (téléphoner)
Show the answer
téléphonerai
- Nous _____ à midi. (finir)
Show the answer
finirons
- Ils _____ leur maison. (vendre)
Show the answer
vendront
- Tu _____ la réponse. (choisir)
Show the answer
choisiras
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.