French Future Tense and Grammar Modes

Vocabulary and grammar rules for French future tenses and verbal modes based on lecture notes.

s'asseoir

To Sit down; irregular future stem: s'assiér-

devoir

To Owe; irregular future stem: devr-

envoyer

To send; irregular future stem: enverr-

être

To Be; irregular future stem: ser-

faire

To do; irregular future stem: fer-

falloir

To need; irregular future stem: faudr-

mourir

To die; irregular future stem: mourr-

aller

To go; irregular future stem: ir-

avoir

To have; irregular future stem: aur-

courir

To run; irregular future stem: courr-

pleuvoir

To rain; irregular future stem: pleuvr-

pouvoir

To be able; irregular future stem: pourr-

recevoir

To receive; irregular future stem: recevr-

savoir

To know; irregular future stem: saur-

tenir

To hold; irregular future stem: tiendr-

obtenir

To obtain; irregular future stem: obtiendr-

valoir

To be worth; irregular future stem: vaudr-

venir

To come; irregular future stem: viendr-

voir

To see; irregular future stem: verr-

vouloir

To wish / want; irregular future stem: voudr-

acheter

To buy; irregular future stem: achèter-

appeler

To call; irregular future stem: appeller-

payer

To pay; irregular future stem: paier-

The future endings

Je: -ai, Tu: -as, Il: -a, Nous: -ons, Vous: -ez, Ils: -ont

Indicative Mode

The mode containing the Present, PC/imparfait, and Future proche tenses.

Imperative Mode

A mode used for commands (TU, VOUS, NOUS) that is not past, present, or future.

Conditional Mode

A mode expressing possibility, often translated as "would" and used with "if" (si) or to express maybe/perhaps.

Futur Proche

Used for the near future; consists of 2 words: [aller] + infinitive (translated as "going to").

Futur Simple

Used for the further future; consists of 1 word: stem [racine] + ending [terminaison] (translated as "will").

Future simple rule for regular verbs

For verbs ending in -e, trim the 'e' off and add the endings to the infinitive stem.