A1.3 Formation and Use of the Near Future

The near future in French is a verb tense expressing an action that will take place in the immediate future. It is formed with the verb aller in the present indicative followed by the infinitive of the main verb. This construction is frequently used to talk about plans or actions intended in the near future.

Formation of the near future

To form the near future, conjugate the verb aller in the present indicative, then add the main verb in the infinitive. The structure is therefore: Subject + verb aller in the present + main verb in the infinitive.
  • Je vais parler (I am going to speak)
  • Tu vas finir (You are going to finish)
  • Il/Elle va commencer (He/She is going to start)
  • Nous allons manger (We are going to eat)
  • Vous allez partir (You are going to leave)
  • Ils/Elles vont arriver (They are going to arrive)

Usage of the near future

The near future is used to talk about events that are about to occur, often in a context of certainty or planning. It can also express a decision made at the moment of speaking.

  • Je vais étudier ce soir. (planning)
  • Nous allons partir dans cinq minutes. (imminent action)
  • Elle va prendre un café. (spontaneous decision)
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