Future and Conditional Tenses
Future and Conditional Tenses
These tenses show you can discuss plans, predictions, and hypothetical situations — essential for hitting the higher grade descriptors.
The Near Future (Futur Proche)
The easiest way to talk about the future: aller (present) + infinitive.
- Je vais voyager en France. — I am going to travel to France.
- Nous allons manger au restaurant. — We are going to eat at the restaurant.
- Elle va acheter une nouvelle robe. — She is going to buy a new dress.
The Simple Future (Futur Simple)
Use the whole infinitive as the stem (for -re verbs, drop the final e) and add endings:
| Subject | Ending |
|---|---|
| je | -ai |
| tu | -as |
| il/elle/on | -a |
| nous | -ons |
| vous | -ez |
| ils/elles | -ont |
- Je travaillerai dans un hôpital. — I will work in a hospital.
- Nous finirons à trois heures. — We will finish at three o'clock.
Irregular Future Stems
| Verb | Stem | Example |
|---|---|---|
| être | ser- | je serai |
| avoir | aur- | j'aurai |
| aller | ir- | j'irai |
| faire | fer- | je ferai |
| pouvoir | pourr- | je pourrai |
| vouloir | voudr- | je voudrai |
| devoir | devr- | je devrai |
| venir | viendr- | je viendrai |
| voir | verr- | je verrai |
| envoyer | enverr- | j'enverrai |
The Conditional
Uses the same stems as the future but with imperfect endings (-ais, -ais, -ait, -ions, -iez, -aient):
- Je voudrais être médecin. — I would like to be a doctor.
- Ce serait formidable. — That would be great.
- Si j'avais de l'argent, j'achèterais une voiture. — If I had money, I would buy a car.
Si (If) Clauses — Grade 8/9
| Structure | Example |
|---|---|
| Si + present → future | Si j'ai le temps, je jouerai au tennis. — If I have time, I will play tennis. |
| Si + imperfect → conditional | Si j'étais riche, je voyagerais partout. — If I were rich, I would travel everywhere. |
Exam Tips
- The near future is the safest choice for speaking — fewer forms to memorise.
- The simple future scores higher in writing because it shows command of a different tense.
- The conditional is ideal for opinions and hypothetical situations: Ce serait mieux si... (It would be better if...)
- In translations, watch for "would" (conditional) vs "will" (future) — English students often confuse them.
- Time markers: demain (tomorrow), l'année prochaine (next year), dans l'avenir (in the future), si possible (if possible).