Le Futur Proche (the close future)
Video
Notes
- The futur proche (near future) is a two-part verb "tense" that is used to express upcoming events that are going to happen in the near future.
- In English, the futur proche is going to [verb]...
Ex: I am going to do the dishes. - As you can see in English, the first part of the futur proche is the conjugation of "to go" (I am going) and the second part is the infinitive of the action verb (to do).
- The futur proche in French has two parts as well:
conjugation of aller according to your subject + infinitive of the action verb
Ex: Je vais parler aux enfants. > I am going to speak to the children.
** You do NOT need to add the word "à" (to) to say "to [verb]" because that is included in the infinitive.**
DO NOT: Je vais à parler. > I am going to to speak.
- To make the futur proche negative, you put the ne... pas around the conjugation of aller.
Ex: Je ne vais pas manger les oranges. > I am not going to eat the oranges.
Activities
Introducing Le Futur Proche with the song "L'Avenir" by Louane
Use this song to show le futur proche in context.
Use this song to show le futur proche in context.
- Give students a copy of the lyrics to the song L'Avenir in both French and English. In the French version, underline where one sees le futur proche (primarily in the chorus). Here is a PDF of the lyrics.
- Allow students to listen to the song and follow the lyrics the first time.
- Then, have students go through and define unknown words. They can use the English translation or a dictionary.
- Go over the definitions after about 5 minutes.
- Next, have students identify how to construct the futur proche.
- Next, review and share the construction. If the students are unable to identify how the futur proche works, explain it.
- Have the students listen to the song one more time, this time focusing on what Louane says will happen.
- Finally, as an extension activity, have the students write their own break-up song for what they hope will happen to their future ex.
Writing in the futur proche: Qu'est-ce qu'ils vont faire?
Directions:
Materials: prompt/photos (at link above)
Quick Write: Tomorrow, classes are cancelled, so I will...
Directions:
Materials: prompt (at link above)
Directions:
- Students are given two photos, the crazier the better.
- For each photo, students must write three sentences in the futur proche which tell what the people in the photos will do next.
- Encourage students to be creative and use both singular and plural subjects for their sentences.
Materials: prompt/photos (at link above)
Quick Write: Tomorrow, classes are cancelled, so I will...
Directions:
- Students have 30 minutes to write as much as they can following the prompt and using the required grammar constructions.
- Students MUST write for the entire 30 minutes, there is no point at which they are done.
- Allow lower-level writers to write using simple sentences, but expect higher-level writers to be very detailed.
Materials: prompt (at link above)
Additional Sites
Tex's French Grammar
An explanation of how to use and conjugate the futur proche followed by an interactive practice activity.
The French Corner
An explanation of how to conjugate and use the futur proche.
An explanation of how to use and conjugate the futur proche followed by an interactive practice activity.
The French Corner
An explanation of how to conjugate and use the futur proche.
Additional Videos
Video created by YouTuber Frencheezee.