Quand + future
Quand je serai grand…
In English, after when we use the present to talk about the future: When I get home, I'll call you. French is more logical: if the action is in the future, use the future.
Quand + future
- Quand j'arriverai, je t'appellerai.When I arrive, I'll call you.
- Quand tu seras grand, tu comprendras.When you're older, you'll understand.
- Quand il fera beau, on ira à la plage.When the weather's nice, we'll go to the beach.
Quand j'arrive, je t'appellerai is a typical English-speaker mistake.
The same with other time conjunctions
- lorsque (when), dès que / aussitôt que (as soon as), pendant que (while), tant que (as long as)
- Dès qu'il rentrera, on mangera.As soon as he gets back, we'll eat.
- Tant que tu seras là, tout ira bien.As long as you're here, everything will be fine.
Finished before the other action: futur antérieur
If the first action will be completed before the second, use the futur antérieur:
- Quand tu auras fini, tu pourras sortir.When you've finished, you can go out.
See Futur antérieur.
But si takes the present
Si (if) is different: it's followed by the present, never the future:
- Si tu viens, on ira au cinéma.If you come, we'll go to the cinema.
See Si clauses. With the imperative, quand can also take the future: Appelle-moi quand tu arriveras.
Practice
- When I'm in Paris, I'll visit the Louvre.Options: Quand je serai à Paris, je visiterai le Louvre. · Quand je suis à Paris, je visiterai le Louvre.
Show the answer
Quand je serai à Paris, je visiterai le Louvre.
- Dès que tu _____, appelle-moi.Options: arriveras · arrives · arriverais
Show the answer
arriveras
- Si tu _____ fatigué, repose-toi.Options: es · seras
Show the answer
es — After si, use the present.
- Quand il _____ grand, il sera pompier. (être)
Show the answer
sera
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.