French tenses

Futur simple vs. Conditionnel: how to choose

Same futur stem, different endings: futur -ai, conditionnel -ais in the first person singular. Regular verbs usually use an infinitive-based stem; irregular verbs share their special futur stem (viendr-, aur-, ser-, etc.). The pronunciation of -ai and -ais is merged for many speakers but distinguished by others. The meaning still decides the form: futur presents a future event; conditionnel presents a hypothesis, softening, or future viewed from the past.

The decision: Present a future action as a prediction, plan or commitment? → futur simple; uncertainty can still be expressed by an adverb (« Je passerai peut-être vendredi »). Make a proposal negotiable or a request polite? → conditionnel (« Pourriez-vous confirmer le créneau ? »). An imagined result depending on si + imparfait, or a future reported from a past viewpoint (« il a dit qu’il viendrait »), also calls for conditionnel. Uncertainty alone does not select the conditional.

The choices at a glance

Choose	When to use it	Pattern and example
Futur simple	Real, expected future event; a prediction presented as likely; or a promise/commitment the speaker stands behind.	Je t'aiderai.
Conditionnel	Hypothetical outcome dependent on a condition; an imagined result; a softened/polite request or proposal; or a future reported from a past-tense perspective. Uncertainty by itself does not require conditionnel.	Je voudrais un café.

Compare the meaning

Je partirai demain.

Je partirais demain si je pouvais.

Common mistakes

✗ Si j'aurai le temps, je viendrai.

✓ Si j'ai le temps, je viendrai.

In this real-condition pattern, the si-clause takes présent and the result clause can take futur. This restriction applies to conditional si, not to unrelated uses such as an indirect question.

Practise this decision in FKE

The interactive comparison includes decision practice and links to the related FKE knowledge tools.

Open Futur simple vs. Conditionnel in FKE