B1IntermediateVerbs · Point 29 / 40
recevoir, rappeler, être, falloir, pouvoir
The futur simple (“vous recevrez”, “on vous rappellera”, “ce sera”, “il faudra”) announces what will happen, especially in an official answer or a promise: at…
| Verb | Pattern | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| recevoir | — | future tense of recevoir (to receive) |
| rappeler | — | future tense of rappeler (to call back) |
| être | — | future tense of être (to be) |
| falloir | — | future tense of falloir, impersonal form (it will be necessary) |
| pouvoir | — | future tense of pouvoir (to be able to) |
The futur simple is built on the infinitive + the endings “-ai, -as, -a, -ons, -ez, -ont”: “recevoir” → “recevrai”. A few verbs change their stem: “être” → “ser-”, “avoir” → “aur-”, “pouvoir” → “pourr-”, “falloir” → “faudr-”.
Examples from our dialogues 5 · 4 with audio
- Listen
Non, votre dossier est complet. Vous recevrez une confirmation par courriel.
No, your file is complete. You’ll receive a confirmation by email.
Check The Full DialogueRenewing a residence permit at the counter
- Listen
Oui, plusieurs services seront avisés automatiquement. Vous recevrez un avis de confirmation.
Yes, several services will be notified automatically. You’ll receive a confirmation notice.
Check The Full DialogueReporting a change of address
- Listen
D'accord. Il faudra l'ouvrir pour vérifier le ventilateur et la poussière à l'intérieur.
All right. We will need to open it to check the fan and the dust inside.
Check The Full DialogueExplaining a broken device to a repair person
- Listen
Oui, un roman policier québécois. On vous enverra les détails.
Yes, a Quebec crime novel. We'll send you the details.
Check The Full DialogueJoining a book club
On vous rappellera demain matin, c'est promis.
We’ll call you back tomorrow morning, promise.
Common mistakes
Vous recevez la carte la semaine prochaine.Vous recevrez la carte la semaine prochaine.
In the present, “vous recevez” describes what happens now or usually. For a promise about next week you need the future: “vous recevrez”.
Il sera besoin d'une photo.Il faudra une photo.
“Il faut” becomes “il faudra” in the future; “il sera besoin” does not exist. If you want to keep “besoin”, say “vous aurez besoin d’une photo”.
Practise speaking
Démarches et consultationsProcedures and consultations
Government offices, the bank, appointments — the French of official procedures.
These dialogues use this point. They open on the dialogue page (audio, vocabulary to save).