Learning how to say we are going to in French is one of the most practical steps you can take when building conversational fluency. Still, whether you are planning a trip, discussing weekend activities, or simply sharing your next steps with a French-speaking friend, mastering this phrase opens the door to natural, everyday communication. In French, this concept is expressed using the futur proche, a grammatical structure that combines the verb aller (to go) with a second verb in its infinitive form. By understanding how this construction works, you will quickly gain the confidence to talk about upcoming plans, intentions, and immediate future events without getting tangled in complex tense conjugations And that's really what it comes down to..
Understanding the French Near Future Tense
The futur proche is often the first future tense French learners encounter, and for good reason. Unlike the simple future (futur simple), which requires memorizing specific endings for every verb, the near future relies on a single, highly predictable pattern. It literally translates to "we are going to [do something]" and is used to describe actions that will happen soon, are already planned, or feel certain to occur. This tense bridges the gap between present intentions and future outcomes, making it incredibly useful for daily conversations Still holds up..
When native speakers say nous allons manger or on va partir, they are not just stating a future fact—they are conveying readiness, anticipation, and immediacy. In practice, the near future tense carries a psychological weight that the simple future often lacks. It implies that the decision has already been made, the preparations are underway, or the event is firmly on the calendar. Grasping this nuance will help you sound more natural and emotionally connected to your conversations, allowing you to express not just what will happen, but what you are actively moving toward.
Not the most exciting part, but easily the most useful.
How to Conjugate "Aller" for "We Are Going To"
At the heart of this structure lies the verb aller, which means "to go.Here's the thing — " While aller is irregular in many tenses, its present tense conjugation is straightforward once you practice it. For the subject "we," you have two options in French: nous (formal or standard) and on (informal but extremely common in spoken French). Both follow the same grammatical rule, but their usage depends on context, tone, and regional habits.
Here is how aller conjugates in the present tense for "we":
- Nous allons (formal/standard)
- On va (informal/conversational)
Notice how the verb changes slightly depending on the pronoun. Day to day, this small shift is crucial for sounding authentic. While textbooks often stress nous allons, everyday French speakers overwhelmingly prefer on va. In fact, linguistic studies show that on has largely replaced nous in casual speech across France, Quebec, and many Francophone regions. Both are grammatically correct, but choosing the right one will instantly elevate your spoken French and help you blend into real-world conversations.
The Formula: Subject + Aller + Infinitive
Building a sentence with we are going to in French follows a simple, three-part formula:
- Choose your subject pronoun (nous or on)
- Conjugate aller to match the subject (allons or va)
For example:
- Nous allons voyager (We are going to travel)
- On va étudier (We are going to study)
- Nous allons préparer le dîner (We are going to prepare dinner)
The beauty of this structure is that the second verb never changes. That's why whether you are talking about eating, sleeping, working, or dancing, the infinitive remains exactly as it appears in the dictionary. This consistency removes the guesswork and allows you to focus on vocabulary expansion rather than complex grammar rules. You can plug in almost any verb and instantly create a grammatically correct future statement.
Counterintuitive, but true.
Step-by-Step Guide to Forming Sentences
To make this concept stick, follow these practical steps every time you want to express a near-future plan:
- Step 1: Identify the action you want to describe. Do not add prepositions like à or de between them. g.On the flip side, - Step 3: Match the correct form of aller. Remember: nous allons, on va. - Step 5: Add time markers if needed. , parler, finir, attendre, comprendre). And french does not use "to" before the infinitive in this construction. Plus, write it down in its base form (e. Use nous for written work, formal settings, or clear group references. - Step 4: Place the infinitive directly after the conjugated verb. Also, pay attention to spelling, as allons contains a double l and ends in -ons, while va is short and direct. Use on for casual conversations, texting, or when speaking with friends.
- Step 2: Decide on your pronoun. Words like demain (tomorrow), ce soir (tonight), tout à l'heure (in a little while), or la semaine prochaine (next week) naturally reinforce the future meaning and provide context.
Practice this sequence aloud until it becomes automatic. And the more you repeat the pattern, the faster your brain will recognize it as a single conversational unit rather than a collection of separate words. Try writing five sentences about your actual plans for the week, then read them aloud while focusing on smooth transitions between the pronoun, aller, and the infinitive Worth keeping that in mind. Took long enough..
Common Contexts and Real-Life Examples
The near future tense appears constantly in French daily life. Think about it: you will hear it when making plans, giving updates, or expressing intentions. Here are some realistic scenarios where we are going to in French shines:
- Making weekend plans: Nous allons visiter le musée samedi. (We are going to visit the museum on Saturday.)
- Discussing work or school: On va terminer le projet avant vendredi. (We are going to finish the project before Friday.)
- Sharing personal goals: Nous allons apprendre à cuisiner des plats français. (We are going to learn how to cook French dishes.)
- Reacting to weather or events: *On va rester à la maison parce qu’il pleut.That's why * (We are going to stay home because it’s raining. That said, )
- Expressing health or lifestyle changes: *Nous allons commencer à faire du sport régulièrement. * (We are going to start exercising regularly.
Notice how the tone shifts slightly depending on the pronoun. Nous allons carries a sense of structure and intention, while on va feels relaxed and spontaneous. Both are perfectly valid, but matching the context will make your French sound more polished and culturally aware. Here's the thing — in professional emails or academic writing, lean toward nous allons. In voice messages, social media, or coffee shop conversations, on va will sound far more natural Not complicated — just consistent..
Pronunciation and Listening Tips
Pronunciation often trips up learners, especially with the futur proche. And the phrase nous allons is pronounced /nu za. lɔ̃/, with a smooth liaison between the s in nous and the a in allons. The final -ons sounds like a nasal "ohn," similar to the English word "long" but without the hard g. For on va, the pronunciation is /ɔ̃ va/, with a clear nasal vowel followed by a sharp va Not complicated — just consistent..
To improve your listening comprehension and speaking accuracy:
- Listen for the rhythm: French sentences often flow without strong pauses between the subject, aller, and the infinitive. Practically speaking, - Practice shadowing: Repeat sentences aloud immediately after hearing them, mimicking the speed, stress, and intonation of native speakers. - Watch for contractions in speech: Native speakers frequently drop the ne in negative forms, so on ne va pas becomes on va pas in casual conversation.
- Record yourself: Compare your pronunciation with audio resources or language apps. Practice linking them smoothly. Focus on the nasal vowels and the crispness of the v sound in va.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use "we are going to in French" for distant future events? A: While the futur proche technically refers to the near future, French
speakers often use it for events happening later in the day or even later in the week. For more distant or abstract future events, the simple future tense (nous visiterons, on fera) is preferred.
Q: Is "on" always informal? A: Generally, yes. On is the go-to pronoun for casual conversation, but it can also be used in semi-formal writing when the author wants to sound approachable or inclusive. In highly formal contexts, stick with nous.
Q: How do I form the negative? A: Simply insert ne... pas (or other negative particles) around aller: Nous n'allons pas voyager (We are not going to travel). In spoken French, the ne is often dropped: On va pas y aller Small thing, real impact..
Q: Can I mix on and nous in the same conversation? A: Absolutely. Many native speakers switch between them depending on the situation or whom they’re addressing. Just be mindful of the tone you want to convey Simple, but easy to overlook. That alone is useful..
Mastering we are going to in French is more than just memorizing a grammar rule—it’s about understanding how French speakers think about the future and express their intentions. Practically speaking, whether you choose nous allons for clarity and formality or on va for speed and ease, you’ll be equipped to work through both professional and social settings with confidence. Practice these forms in real conversations, pay attention to context, and soon, talking about your plans in French will feel as natural as breathing.
