Learning how to express future actions is an essential part of any language. In French, there are several ways to convey the idea of “will go,” depending on the formality of the situation and the region where the language is spoken. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways of saying “will go” in French, along with various examples and tips to help you master this concept.
Table of Contents
1. Formal Ways to Say “Will Go”
If you want to express future actions in a formal context, you can use the following phrases:
a) “I will go”
In French, a formal way to say “will go” is “Je vais aller.” Here, “Je vais” means “I am going to” or “I will,” and “aller” simply translates to “go.” This form is appropriate for formal situations or when speaking to someone of higher authority.
Example: Je vais aller à une réunion demain. (I will go to a meeting tomorrow.)
b) “He/She will go”
To express that someone else will go, you can use “Il va aller” for a man or “Elle va aller” for a woman. Again, “va” means “will” or “is going to,” and “aller” means “go.”
Example: Elle va aller en vacances la semaine prochaine. (She will go on vacation next week.)
2. Informal Ways to Say “Will Go”
When speaking casually or in informal settings, French offers alternative phrases to express future actions:
a) “I will go”
In informal conversations, you can use the phrase “Je vais aller” just like in formal situations. It is perfectly acceptable to use this form among friends, family, or peers.
Example: Je vais aller au cinéma ce soir. (I will go to the movies tonight.)
b) “He/She will go”
The informal way to express that someone else will go is similar to the formal version but with the more colloquial pronouns “Il” and “Elle”: “Il va aller” or “Elle va aller.”
Example: Il va aller chez son ami demain. (He will go to his friend’s place tomorrow.)
3. Tips and Examples
- When using “Je vais aller” and “Il/Elle va aller,” the verb “aller” never changes regardless of the subject. Only the subject pronoun varies.
- If you want to emphasize the certainty of an action, you can use “Je vais certainement aller” (I will certainly go) or “Il/Elle va sûrement aller” (He/She will surely go).
- For negative future actions, add “ne” in front of the verb “vais” or “va,” and “pas” after the verb “aller.” For example, “Je ne vais pas aller” means “I will not go.”
- In some regional French variations, especially in Quebec, people often use the expression “Je m’en vais” to mean “I will go” in an informal context.
Examples:
Here are a few additional examples to illustrate the usage of “will go” in French:
- Je vais aller à l’école demain matin. (I will go to school tomorrow morning.)
- Il va aller chez le médecin cet après-midi. (He will go to the doctor this afternoon.)
- Elle va aller faire les courses ce soir. (She will go grocery shopping tonight.)
- Nous allons aller au restaurant ce week-end. (We will go to the restaurant this weekend.)
- Ils vont aller visiter Paris l’année prochaine. (They will go visit Paris next year.)
Remember, the more you practice using these phrases, the more comfortable you will become in expressing future actions in French. Enjoy exploring the nuances of the language and continue to improve your fluency!
