le futur simple

Formation

The 'simple' future (le futur/le futur simple) is a one-word tense.  So it’s simple!  

The endings for the simple future are: -ai , -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont.  The future stem for -er and -ir verbs is the infinitive. For regular -re verbs, the stem is the infinitive minus the final e. In all cases, the future stem ends in -r: this sound characterizes the future and the conditional. The French simple future tense is generally translated into English with the auxiliary 'will.'   

Listen carefully to the future conjugation of regular -er verbs, where the e of the infinitive changes in pronunciation.

Some -er verbs with spelling changes in the present form their future regularly, that is, their future stem is the infinitive.  These include verbs like préférer (je préférerai), manger (je mangerai) and commençer (je commencerai).  Other -er verbs with spelling changes in the present (appeler, employer, acheter) have irregular future stems.

Many verbs which are irregular in the present tense have regular formations in the future. Their future stems are the infinitive or the infinitive minus the final e. Such verbs include sortir (je sortirai), partir (je partirai), dormir (je dormirai), boire (je boirai), dire (je dirai), écrire (j'écrirai), lire (je lirai), mettre (je mettrai), prendre (je prendrai), and suivre (je suivrai).

Uses

The futur simple is used to refer to future events, that is, to make predictions. It is more formal than the futur proche, although both tenses may be used in most contexts. For further details, see future: usage.