je le ferai
The French phrase for "I will" is je le ferai.
je le ferai is used to express a promise or a decision to perform a specific action in the future.
Which one should you use?
While je le ferai expresses a future promise, the phrase je le fais uses the present tense to express an immediate or habitual action such as "I am doing it" or "I do it".
How does it change in a sentence?
In French, the direct object le (it) must be placed before the conjugated verb, which differs from the English structure where the object follows the verb.
Did you know?
- The word 'je' traces its history back to the Latin 'ego', which is also the root of the English word 'egotistical'.
- In very formal writing, the order of je le ferai can be flipped in a question to le ferai-je, which creates a poetic or archaic tone rarely heard in conversation.
- The verb faire used in je le ferai is one of the most versatile words in French, acting as a 'light verb' that can replace dozens of specific verbs depending on the context.
Examples in context
- Si tu veux, je le ferai.In case you want, I will do it.This example shows how to use je le ferai in a conditional context regarding someone's wants.Tatoeba #5560069 by nimfeo, translation #774930 by marloncori
- Je le ferai avec plaisir.I will do it gladly.This example demonstrates using je le ferai to express doing something with pleasure.Tatoeba #942289 by Rovo, translation #2267144 by _undertoad
- Je le ferai certainement.I will do it by all means.This example illustrates using je le ferai to express certainty.Tatoeba #1072114 by sacredceltic, translation #51306 by CC
- Je ferai de mon mieux pour finir ce projet.I will do my best to finish this project.
- Je vais visiter Paris l'année prochaine.I will visit Paris next year.
- Je vais sortir avec mes amis ce soir.I will go out with my friends tonight.
- Je compte bien réussir mes examens.I am determined to pass my exams.
- Je pense que je viendrai à la fête demain.I think I will come to the party tomorrow.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan promises to help Emma with her luggage.
- NathanEst-ce que tu peux m'aider avec ma valise ?Can you help me with my suitcase?
- EmmaOui, je le ferai dès que j'aurai fini.Yes, I will do it as soon as I'm finished.
- NathanMerci beaucoup, Nathan.Thank you very much, Nathan.
- EmmaNe t'inquiète pas, je le ferai.Don't worry, I will.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, le, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
