A2BeginnerVerbs · Point 12 / 40
je vais + infinitif, on va + infinitif, vous allez + infinitif, aller + infinitif (négatif)
To say what is about to happen, put “aller” in the present before an infinitive.
| Structure | Pattern | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| je vais | + infinitif | an action about to happen very soon. |
| on va | + infinitif | what “we” are about to do. |
| vous allez | + infinitif | what is about to happen to the person you’re talking to. |
| aller | + infinitif (négatif) | the negation wraps around “aller”: “ne vais pas”. |
After “aller” the second verb stays in the infinitive: payer, voir, recevoir. The negation goes around “aller”: “je ne vais pas…”
Examples from our dialogues 4 · 4 with audio
- Listen
D'accord. Je vais payer avec une autre carte.
All right. I will pay with another card.
Check The Full DialogueHandling a declined card at checkout
- Listen
Très bien. Je vais peser le colis. Voulez-vous un suivi ?
Very well. I will weigh the parcel. Would you like tracking?
Check The Full DialogueSending a parcel at the post office
- Listen
C'est bien. On va continuer comme ça.
That's good. Let's keep it up.
Check The Full DialogueDiscussing the family budget
- Listen
Je suis désolé. Je vais envoyer quelqu'un tout de suite.
I am sorry. I will send someone right away.
Check The Full DialogueReporting a problem in the room
Common mistakes
Je vais appelle demain.Je vais appeler demain.
After “aller”, the second verb stays in the infinitive: appeler, payer, voir. Do not conjugate it.
Practise speaking
Les achats et commercesShopping and commerce
Shopping, paying, returning an item — the French of stores and customer service.
These dialogues use this point. They open on the dialogue page (audio, vocabulary to save).