Grammar: Future Simple, irregular

ByFast French

The Future Simple tense of regular verbs was covered in a previous post here. That post explained how to find the future simple stem of a regular -er, -ir or -re verb, as well as the appropriate future simple endings.

This post, however, is a list of the most important verbs whose future simple stems do not follow the rules of regular future simple stems. These tend to be more frequently used verbs. So it is important to get to know their future simple stems. Not only so that you can form the future simple tense, but also so that you can form the Present Conditional Tense. That’s because the Present Conditional uses the future simple stem as its own stem.

Frequently used verbs: irregular future simple stems

VERBMEANINGSTEMEXAMPLE
êtreto beser-je serai
avoirto haveaur-j’aurai
allerto goir-j’irai
faireto do, to makefer-je ferai
venirto comeviendr-je viendrai
devoirto have to, mustdevr-je devrai
vouloirto wantvoudr-je voudrai
pouvoirto be able, canpourr-je pourrai
savoirto know (how)saur-je saurai
voirto seeverr-je verrai

Infrequently used verbs: irregular future simple stems

VERBMEANINGSTEMEXAMPLE
acquérir to acquireacquerrj’acquerrai
courir to runcourr-je courrai
cueillirto gathercueiller-je cueillerai
décevoirto deceiveto décevr-je décevrai
envoyerto sendenverr-j’enverrai
falloirto be necessaryfaudr-il faudra
pleuvoirto rainpleuvr-il pleuvra
recevoirto receiverecevr-je recevrai
tenirto hold, keeptiendr-je tiendrai
valoirto be worthvaudr-il vaudra

Don’t miss out on new posts – subscribe now!

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • pouvoir

    ByFast French

    The French verb “pouvoir” means “to be able to” or “can” in English. It is an irregular verb that is commonly used in everyday communication. Here is its conjugation in the present tense: “Pouvoir” is used to express ability, permission, or possibility in various contexts. Its conjugations may change depending on the subject pronoun and…

  • soit…soit

    ByFast French

    In the French language, there’s a handy construction called “soit…soit.” This structure is used to present alternatives or choices. It’s a bit like saying “either…or” in English. Let’s delve into how it works and how you can use it effectively. The word “soit” means “either” or “whether” in English. When repeated, it emphasizes the choice…

  • Verb: s’occuper de

    ByFast French

    Exploring the French Verb “s’occuper de”: Usage, Etymology, and Examples 1. Understanding “s’occuper de” “S’occuper de” is a reflexive verb in French, which means it always requires a reflexive pronoun. The reflexive pronoun “se” changes according to the subject of the sentence: 2. Usages of “s’occuper de” a) Taking Care of Something or Someone One…

  • avoid passive voice

    ByFast French

    English speakers often use the passive voice to focus on the receiver of an action rather than the doer. A passive sentence in English typically uses a form of “to be” plus a past participle, sometimes with “by + agent.” Examples: “The door was opened,” “The report was written by the team,” “He was given…

  • savoir

    ByFast French

    The French verb “savoir” is a frequently used verb. It means “to know.” It is different from the verb “connaître,” which means “to know” in the sense of “to be familiar with.” “Savoir” is more like “to know how” (to do something). “Savoir” is an irregular verb, which means it doesn’t follow the usual rules for…

  • verb: railler

    ByFast French

    Meaning of “Railler” The verb “railler” in French carries the primary meaning of mocking, ridiculing, or making fun of someone or something. When you “railler” someone, you are essentially poking fun at them in a light-hearted or sometimes even sarcastic manner. It’s a verb that conveys a sense of playful teasing, often without malice. Etymology…