Grammar

Aller + infinitive: the French future you can use today.

Before learning every future tense ending, learn the near future: aller plus an infinitive verb.

The pattern

Conjugate aller, then add the action verb in its infinitive form.

• Je vais partir. I am going to leave.
• Tu vas manger. You are going to eat.
• Nous allons étudier. We are going to study.

Why it is useful

This structure is common in conversation because it talks about plans, intentions, and things about to happen.

Je vais appeler ma mère. I am going to call my mother. On va voir. We will see.

Do not conjugate the second verb

Say je vais prendre, not je vais prends. The second verb stays in the dictionary form.

Practical examples

• Je vais réserver une table. I am going to reserve a table.
• Elle va arriver à huit heures. She is going to arrive at eight.
• On va prendre le métro. We are going to take the metro.

For daily communication, this structure gives you a lot of future meaning with very little grammar load.