French Near Future Tense: The Complete Guide to 'Aller + Infinitive'
Editor
French Near Future Tense: The Complete Guide to 'Aller + Infinitive'
When learning French, expressing what will happen in the future is an essential milestone. Fortunately, you do not need to memorize dozens of irregular verb endings right away to talk about upcoming events. The French near future tense (le futur proche) provides an easy, natural, and widely used shortcut.
In this expert guide from my-french.com, you will learn how to form the near future tense, handle negation and pronouns, and understand exactly when native speakers choose it over the simple future (le futur simple).
1. What Is the Near Future Tense (Le Futur Proche)?
The near future corresponds directly to the English construction "to be going to + verb". Native French speakers use it extensively in everyday spoken and written communication to describe:
1. Actions that are imminent: Events about to take place in the very next moments ("Watch out, you are going to fall!").
2. Clear intentions and pre-planned projects: Decisions already made regarding the future ("Next month, I am going to move to Bordeaux").
Because it connects a future event directly to the present reality, it feels immediate, certain, and conversational.
2. The Formula: Conjugating Aller + Infinitive
Constructing le futur proche requires only two elements: $$\text{Subject} + \text{Present tense of } \textbf{aller} + \text{Infinitive of main verb}$$
Your only grammatical task is mastering the present tense conjugation of the irregular verb aller (to go):
| Subject Pronoun | Form of Aller | Action Verb (Infinitive) | Full Sentence (English translation) |
|---|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Je | vais | regarder | Je vais regarder un film. (I am going to watch a movie.) |
| Tu | vas | finir | Tu vas finir ton travail. (You are going to finish your work.) |
| Il / Elle / On | va | comprendre | On va comprendre. (We are going to understand.) |
| Nous | allons | visiter | Nous allons visiter le musée. (We are going to visit the museum.) |
| Vous | allez | apprendre | Vous allez apprendre le français. (You are going to learn French.) |
| Ils / Elles | vont | dormir | Elles vont dormir tôt. (They are going to sleep early.) |
Notice that the main verb remains entirely untouched in its infinitive form (parler, choisir, prendre).
3. How to Make Negative Sentences
Negation in the near future tense follows a strict rule that often trips up English speakers. The negative sandwich (ne ... pas) wraps exclusively around the conjugated auxiliary verb (aller), never around the infinitive.
Structure: Subject + ne + conjugated form of aller + pas + infinitive
- Je ne vais pas travailler ce samedi. (I am not going to work this Saturday.)
- Nous n'allons pas déménager. (We are not going to move.)
- Il ne va pas pleuvoir. (It is not going to rain.)
Note on spoken French: In informal everyday speech, native speakers frequently drop the ne (e.g., « Je vais pas venir »), but you should always include it in formal settings and written exams.
4. Pronoun Placement with the Near Future
Whether dealing with reflexive verbs or direct/indirect object pronouns, remember this golden rule: the pronoun always sits immediately before the infinitive verb (the action it modifies).
A. Reflexive Verbs (Les verbes pronominaux)
- Je vais me reposer. (I am going to rest.)
- Tu vas te réveiller à sept heures. (You are going to wake up at seven.)
- Ils ne vont pas se plaindre. (They are not going to complain.)
The reflexive pronoun matches the subject, but positions itself right before the infinitive:
B. Object Pronouns (le, la, les, lui, leur, y, en)
- Est-ce que tu vas appeler Sophie ? $\rightarrow$ Oui, je vais l'appeler. (Yes, I am going to call her.)
- Nous allons manger des crêpes ? $\rightarrow$ Oui, nous allons en manger. (Yes, we are going to eat some.)
- Vas-tu à la banque ? $\rightarrow$ Je vais y aller. (I am going to go there.)
When replacing a noun with a pronoun, slide it directly in front of the main infinitive verb:
5. Futur Proche vs. Futur Simple: When to Use Which?
English speakers often wonder when to use le futur proche versus le futur simple (j'irai, tu feras).
| Feature | Futur Proche (aller + infinitive) | Futur Simple (infinitive stem + endings) |
|---|---|---|
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Timeline | Short-term, immediate, or closely tied to now | Long-term, distant, or open-ended |
| Nuance | Definite plan, direct consequence of a present sign | Prediction, conditional promise, official statement |
| Tone | Natural, casual, everyday spoken language | Formal, literary, journalistic, administrative |
- « Regarde, le train va partir ! » (Visible right now; departure is imminent.)
- « Quand je serai grand, je serai astronaute. » (A distant, aspirational dream.)
Quick Comparison:
6. Common Mistakes to Watch Out For
1. Conjugating both verbs: Do not say « Je vais pars ». The second verb must always stay in the infinitive: « Je vais partir ».
2. Placing object pronouns before aller: Avoid « Je la vais voir ». Always keep the pronoun with its associated action verb: « Je vais la voir ».
3. Hesitating to use aller twice: It is completely grammatically correct to say « Je vais aller au supermarché » (I am going to go to the supermarket).
Summary & Next Steps
The French near future tense is your fastest route to fluency when communicating future actions. By memorizing just six present-tense forms of aller, you unlock hundreds of possible sentences. Try describing your schedule for tomorrow using aller + infinitive, and watch your French confidence soar!