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Conjugate semi-regular -oyer/-ayer/-uyer verbs in the future tense in French (Le Futur Simple)

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE
Last updated: 2024-11-04
23 questions
To conjugate verbs ending in -ayer/-oyer/-uyer in Le Futur Simple (Indicatif), the only exception to the rule of regular -ER verbs is that the y of the infinitive becomes an i in Le Futur Simple (Indicatif).

ATTENTION:
This rule doesn't apply to envoyer and derivatives (See Conjugate voir/envoyer in the future tense in French (Le Futur Simple))

Conjugation of ESSAYER (to try) in Le Futur Simple (Indicatif) in French

j'essaierai
tu essaieras
il/elle/on essaiera  
nous essaierons
vous essaierez
ils/elles essaieront

ATTENTION:
Verbs in -AYER, in spoken French (included written dialogue in a play for example) also accept an alternative version where the y is kept (and also pronounced differently):

Quand paieras-tu cette facture ?When will you pay that bill?

Quand payeras-tu cette facture ?When will you pay that bill?

Ils balaieront le sol avant que nous ne venions.They will sweep the floor before we come.

Ils balayeront le sol avant que nous ne venions.They will sweep the floor before we come.

You don't pronounce the e after the i.

Here are more examples:

Je nettoierai l'appart pendant que tu seras partie.I will clean the flat while you're gone.

Il essuiera ses pieds sur le paillasson avant d'entrer.He will wipe his feet on the mat before coming in.

Nous nous ennuierons à cette soirée.We will get bored at this party.

Vous paierez votre tournée ?Will you buy your round?

 

Common -AYER / -OYER / -UYER verbs

essayer (to try)
payer (to pay) 
employer (to use/employ)
se noyer (to drown)
nettoyer (to clean)
essuyer (to wipe)
s'ennuyer (to be/get bored)

See also Conjugate regular -er and -ir verbs in the future tense in French (Le Futur Simple)

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Examples and resources

Quand paieras-tu cette facture ?When will you pay that bill?
Quand payeras-tu cette facture ?When will you pay that bill?
Ils balaieront le sol avant que nous ne venions.They will sweep the floor before we come.
Ils balayeront le sol avant que nous ne venions.They will sweep the floor before we come.
Je nettoierai l'appart pendant que tu seras partie.I will clean the flat while you're gone.
Il essuiera ses pieds sur le paillasson avant d'entrer.He will wipe his feet on the mat before coming in.
Nous nous ennuierons à cette soirée.We will get bored at this party.
Vous paierez votre tournée ?Will you buy your round?
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