Future study plans (AQA GCSE French): Revision Notes
Future study plans
Planning for your future education and career is an important topic in French, and you'll need to know how to discuss your aspirations using the future tense. This topic combines essential vocabulary about education and work with key grammar structures that will help you express your plans and ambitions.
Key vocabulary
| French | English |
|---|---|
| apprentissage (m) | apprenticeship |
| argent (m) | money |
| boulot (m) | job |
| emploi (m) | job |
| étudiant(e) (m/f) | student |
| étudier | to study |
| examen (m) | exam |
| futur (m) / avenir (m) | future |
| lycée (m) | sixth form college |
| passer un examen | to take an exam |
| projet (m) | plan |
| réussir à | to succeed in, pass (an exam) |
| travail (m) | work |
| université (f) | university |
| études (fpl) | studies |
| formation (f) | training |
Grammar focus: The future tense with regular verbs
When discussing your future study plans, you'll need to use the future tense. In French, this translates the English "shall/will do" and is formed differently depending on the verb type.
Formation rules
The formation of the future tense follows specific patterns based on the verb ending. Understanding these rules is essential for accurate conjugation.
Critical Formation Rules:
For -er and -ir verbs: Simply add the future tense endings directly to the infinitive form of the verb.
For -re verbs: Remove the final 'e' from the infinitive, then add the future tense endings.
Future tense endings
All regular verbs use these same endings, making the future tense relatively straightforward once you know the pattern:
- je: -ai
- tu: -as
- il/elle/on: -a
- nous: -ons
- vous: -ez
- ils/elles: -ont
Worked Example: Conjugating étudier (to study)
- j'étudierai (I will study)
- tu étudieras (you will study)
- il/elle/on étudiera (he/she/one will study)
- nous étudierons (we will study)
- vous étudierez (you will study)
- ils/elles étudieront (they will study)
Worked Example: Conjugating attendre (to wait) - Note the dropped 'e'
- j'attendrai (I will wait)
- tu attendras (you will wait)
- il/elle/on attendra (he/she/one will wait)
- nous attendrons (we will wait)
- vous attendrez (you will wait)
- ils/elles attendront (they will wait)
Example sentences
Understanding how the future tense transforms meaning compared to the present tense is key to expressing your plans effectively.
Comparing Present and Future Tense:
Present tense:
- Je continue mes études au lycée. (I am continuing my studies at sixth form college.)
- J'étudie les maths à l'université. (I study maths at university.)
Future tense:
- Je continuerai mes études au lycée. (I will continue my studies at sixth form college.)
- J'étudierai les maths à l'université. (I will study maths at university.)
- Après le lycée, j'irai à l'université. (After sixth form, I will go to university.)
Grammar and pronunciation tips
Pronunciation and Usage Tips:
- The future tense endings are pronounced clearly, with the final consonants often heard
- Remember that -re verbs drop their final 'e' before adding endings
- The pronunciation of 'j'étudierai' sounds like "zhay-too-dee-ray"
- Practice the rhythm of longer future forms like 'nous étudierons'
Translation exercises
Practice is essential for mastering the future tense. These exercises will help you apply what you've learned.
Translation Practice: French to English
- Je vais continuer mes études au lycée, et après je voudrais aller à l'université.
- Mon frère a décidé de faire un apprentissage et il adore ça car il gagne de l'argent.
Translation Practice: English to French
- I will study technology at university.
- We will take our exams next year.
Answers:
Answers: French to English
- I am going to continue my studies at sixth form college, and afterwards I would like to go to university.
- My brother has decided to do an apprenticeship and he loves it because he earns money.
Answers: English to French
- J'étudierai la technologie à l'université.
- Nous passerons nos examens l'année prochaine.
Key Points to Remember:
- The future tense in French is formed by adding specific endings to the infinitive (or modified infinitive for -re verbs)
- All regular verbs use the same future tense endings: -ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont
- For -re verbs, always drop the final 'e' before adding the future endings
- Key vocabulary around education and work will help you discuss your future plans confidently
- Practice conjugating common verbs like étudier, travailler, and passer to build fluency with future tense forms