The future simple (-re verbs)

Forming the Futur Simple with -re Verbs

To form the futur simple (simple future) for -re verbs, drop the final -e from the infinitive before adding the standard future endings. This keeps the characteristic "r" sound of the future tense.

PronounFuture EndingExample (attendre)
je-aiattendrai
tu-asattendras
il / elle / on-aattendra
nous-onsattendrons
vous-ezattendrez
ils / elles-ontattendront

Let's see this pattern in action:

The citizens will wait for the election.
Les citoyens attendront l'élection.
During the debate, I will answer the questions about the law.
Pendant le débat, je répondrai aux questions sur la loi.

More -re Verbs

Verbs like défendre (to defend) and perdre (to lose) follow the exact same rule. Drop the -e and add the ending to match your subject.

The candidate will defend the right to vote.
Le candidat défendra le droit de voter.
A lot of citizens will defend their rights against this law.
Beaucoup de citoyens défendront leurs droits contre cette loi.
This bad candidate will lose the election.
Ce mauvais candidat perdra l'élection.

Even verbs that are irregular in the present tense, like élire (to elect) and comprendre (to understand), use this predictable pattern in the future simple.

In a month, we will elect this candidate.
Dans un mois, nous élirons ce candidat.
You will understand that the citizens have this right.
Vous comprendrez que les citoyens ont ce droit.

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