🎓 Prepared by students from Boğaziçi University

What is Futur Simple?

Futur simple is the French simple future tense, used to express actions that will happen or that the speaker predicts. It is one of the most common tenses for discussing future plans and inevitable events. Unlike futur proche (aller + infinitive), futur simple is a single conjugated form.

Short answer

Futur simple expresses future actions or predictions. It is formed by adding -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont to the infinitive (or modified infinitive for irregular verbs).

Futur Simple Formation

1
Step 1: Start with Infinitive
Regular verbs use the full infinitive (parler, finir, descendre)
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2
Step 2: Add Future Endings
Add -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont
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3
Step 3: Handle Irregular Verbs
Some verbs modify the stem (être → ser-, avoir → aur-)
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4
Step 4: Complete Conjugation
je parlerai, tu parleras, il parlera, nous parlerons...

Step-by-step worked examples

Conjugate 'parler' (to speak) in futur simple for 'je' and 'nous'.

Infinitive: parler
Add -ai for je: je parlerai (I will speak)
Add -ons for nous: nous parlerons (we will speak)

Conjugate 'avoir' (to have) in futur simple for 'il'.

Irregular stem: aur- (not av-)
Add -a for il: il aura (he will have)

Form the futur simple of 'aller' (to go) for 'vous'.

Irregular stem: ir- (from Latin)
Add -ez for vous: vous irez (you will go)

Flashcards

Quick quiz

Q1.How is futur simple typically formed?

Correct answer: B. Futur simple = infinitive + future ending (-ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont).

Q2.What is the futur simple form of 'avoir' for 'je'?

Correct answer: B. Avoir is irregular: aur- + -ai = j'aurai.

Q3.Which is an irregular futur stem?

Correct answer: D. Pouvoir → pourr- (not pouv-). Most regular verbs use the infinitive as the stem.

Q4.'Il sera heureux' means…

Correct answer: C. Sera is futur simple of être. It expresses a future state or prediction.

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Common mistakes

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Using futur proche for all future expressions. — Correct: Use futur simple for general future actions: Je voyagerai. (not Je vais voyager, unless near future is meant)

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Forgetting irregular futur stems like avoir → aur-, être → ser-. — Correct: Learn common irregulars: avoir (aur-), être (ser-), pouvoir (pourr-), vouloir (voudr-), venir (viendr-).

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Adding future endings to the infinitive incorrectly. — Correct: For 'parler': add -ai → parlerai (not parlo-ai). The ending replaces nothing; it appends.

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Confusing futur simple with conditional present. — Correct: Futur: -ai, -as, -a (Je parlerai). Conditional: -ais, -ait (Je parlerais — implies if).

FAQ

What is futur simple?

Futur simple is the French simple future tense, expressing planned or predicted future actions. Example: Je voyagerai en été (I will travel in summer).

How do you form futur simple?

Add future endings (-ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont) to the infinitive. For irregular verbs, modify the stem first.

What is the difference between futur simple and futur proche?

Futur simple = one word (parlerai); futur proche = aller + infinitive (vais parler). Both express future, but futur proche feels nearer.

Which verbs have irregular futur stems?

Common ones: avoir (aur-), être (ser-), pouvoir (pourr-), vouloir (voudr-), venir (viendr-), faire (fer-), aller (ir-).