How to Use the Futur Proche in French

The futur proche, or near future, is a simple and commonly used way to talk about events that will happen soon in French. It's formed using the present tense of "aller" (to go) followed by an infinitive verb. Let's explore how to use this practical tense.

Formation of the Futur Proche

To form the futur proche, follow this structure:

Subject + conjugated "aller" in present tense + infinitive verb

For example:

• Je vais manger (I am going to eat)
• Tu vas dormir (You are going to sleep)
• Il/Elle/On va partir (He/She/One is going to leave)

When to Use the Futur Proche

Use the futur proche for:

1. Actions happening in the near future
2. Events you're certain about
3. Planned or intended actions

Examples in Context

• "Je vais acheter une nouvelle voiture la semaine prochaine." (I'm going to buy a new car next week.)
• "Nous allons visiter Paris cet été." (We're going to visit Paris this summer.)
• "Ils vont se marier en juin." (They're going to get married in June.)

Futur Proche vs. Futur Simple

While both express future actions, the futur proche typically indicates:

• More immediate future
• Higher certainty
• Personal intention

The futur simple often expresses:

• More distant future
• General predictions
• Less personal involvement

Compare:

• "Il va pleuvoir ce soir." (It's going to rain tonight.) - Futur proche, immediate and certain.
• "Il pleuvra beaucoup l'année prochaine." (It will rain a lot next year.) - Futur simple, distant prediction.

Remember, the futur proche is a versatile and straightforward way to discuss upcoming events in French. Practice using it in your conversations to sound more natural and fluent!