Near future and recent past
aller + infinitive (going to…), venir de + infinitive (have just…) and être en train de.
Futur proche: aller + infinitive
This works exactly like English «going to» and is the easiest way to talk about the future:
- Je vais manger.I'm going to eat.
- Nous allons partir demain.We're leaving tomorrow.
- Il va pleuvoir.It's going to rain.
- Tu ne vas pas regretter.You won't regret it.
In the negative, ne… pas goes around aller.
Passé récent: venir de + infinitive
- Je viens d'arriver.I've just arrived.
- Elle vient de téléphoner.She has just called.
Être en train de + infinitive
To stress that something is happening right now:
- Je suis en train de cuisiner.I'm (in the middle of) cooking.
Test yourself
-
Translate: «We're going to watch a film.»
Show answer
Nous allons voir un film. / On va regarder un film. -
Translate: «I've just eaten.»
Show answer
Je viens de manger. -
Make negative: Il va venir.
Show answer
Il ne va pas venir. -
Translate: «They're reading right now.»
Show answer
Ils sont en train de lire.