Future forms review · Revoyons les formes futures
Talking about the future — a review
- English has several future forms. Here we put the main ones together.
- will, be going to, present continuous.
- Each one has a "best" job.
I am meeting my friend tomorrow; my calendar insists on a time.
Parler du futur — un rappel
- L'anglais possède plusieurs formes futures. Nous les résumons ici.
- will, be going to, present continuous.
- Chacun a un rôle principal.
Je rencontre mon ami demain ; mon agenda impose une heure précise.
will vs be going to
- will: spontaneous decisions, predictions, promises.
- be going to: plans you already have, evidence-based predictions.
- I'll help you. We're going to move house.
will vs be going to
- will : décisions spontanées, prédictions, promesses.
- be going to : projets déjà arrêtés, prédictions basées sur des preuves.
- Je vais t'aider. Nous allons déménager.
present continuous for arrangements
- Already arranged, with a fixed time or place → present continuous.
- I'm meeting the doctor at three. We're flying on Friday.
- It feels more "fixed" than going to.
Present continuous pour les arrangements
- Déjà organisé, avec une heure ou un lieu fixe → present continuous.
- Je rencontre le médecin à trois heures. Nous partons en avion vendredi.
- Cela semble plus « fixe » que going to.
Which future form fits? · Quelle forme future convient ?
will = decide now/predict; going to = plan; present continuous = fixed arrangement. · will = décision maintenant/prédiction ; going to = plan ; present continuous = arrangement fixe.
An arrangement: I ___ meeting the doctor at three. (am / will) · Un arrangement : I ___ meeting the doctor at three. (am / will)
A fixed arrangement → present continuous: “I am meeting …”. · Arrangement fixe → present continuous : “I am meeting …”.
time clauses: when, as soon as
- After when, as soon as, before, after, until, use the present, not will.
- I'll call you when I arrive. Wait until the rain stops.
Conjonctions temporelles : when, as soon as
- Après when, as soon as, before, after, until, utilisez le présent, pas will.
- Je t'appellerai quand j'arriverai. Attends que la pluie cesse.
Choose: I'll call you when I ___ home. · Choisissez : I'll call you when I ___ home.
After “when”, use the present simple, not will: “when I get home”. · Après “when”, utilisez le present simple, pas will : “when I get home”.
Is this correct? “As soon as he will arrive, we will eat.” · Est-ce correct ? “As soon as he will arrive, we will eat.”
Time clause uses the present: “As soon as he arrives, we will eat.” · La proposition temporelle utilise le présent : “As soon as he arrives, we will eat.”
Translate into English: 我到了就给你打电话。 · Traduisez en anglais : 我到了就给你打电话。
will in the main clause, present in the time clause: “… when I arrive.” · will dans la proposition principale, présent dans la proposition temporelle : “… when I arrive.”
Common mistakes
- ❌ I will meeting him. → ✓ I will meet him. / I am meeting him. — don't mix the two patterns.
- Asking about someone's plans: ✓ What are you doing tonight?
- ❌ when I will arrive → ✓ when I arrive — no will in time clauses.
Erreurs courantes
- ❌ I will meeting him. → ✓ Je le rencontrerai. / Je le rencontre. — ne mélangez pas les deux structures.
- Demander les projets de quelqu'un : ✓ Qu'est-ce que tu fais ce soir ?
- ❌ when I will arrive → ✓ when I arrive — pas de will dans les propositions temporelles.
Match the situation to the best future form. · Reliez la situation à la meilleure forme future.
will = spontaneous; present continuous = arranged; going to = intended; present simple = timetabled. · will = spontané ; present continuous = organisé ; going to = intendu ; present simple = horaire.
Complete: I'll call you as soon as I ___ . (arrive) · Complétez : I'll call you as soon as I ___ . (arrive)
as soon as starts a time clause → present simple, even about the future. · as soon as introduit une proposition temporelle → present simple, même pour le futur.
- will (decisions/predictions) · going to (plans) · present continuous (arrangements).
- After when / as soon as / until, use the present, not will.
- will (décisions/prédictions) · going to (projets) · present continuous (arrangements).
- Après when / as soon as / until, utilisez le présent, pas will.
Write one sentence about a fixed arrangement you have, using the present continuous for the future. · Écrivez une phrase sur un arrangement fixe que vous avez, en utilisant le present continuous pour le futur.
Example: “I am seeing my friends on Saturday.” · Exemple : “I am seeing my friends on Saturday.”