I'm puzzled by this tense. Is it typically used in conversation, or is it more frequently found in books?

Randy K.B2Kwiziq community member

I'm puzzled by this tense. Is it typically used in conversation, or is it more frequently found in books?

Asked 6 years ago
CécileKwiziq team memberCorrect answer

Hi Randy,

This tense is not as frequent as some of the others you have been studying but it denotes an action in the future which is prior to another action in the future. e.g.

Nous vous téléphonerons quand nous serons arrivésWe'll call you when we get there

1st action in the future = nous serons arrivés

2nd action in the future = nous vous téléphonerons

The 1st action uses the futur antérieur because it will happen before the 2nd action which is also in the future.

The problem I think is that in English after expressions of time like 'when''as soon as' etc.. the present tense is used. But this is not the case in French.

Take a look at the following lesson with lots of examples if things are still unclear -

Quand/lorsque/après que/une fois que + future perfect (Le Futur Antérieur) = When/after I've done something in the future (Sequence of Tenses in French)

Hope this helps!

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor
Please post the sentence here. 
Randy K.B2Kwiziq community member
Merci Cécile!  That was a very concise and clear answer.  I totally understand now.
Sombra L.A2Kwiziq community member

c'est le plus-que-parfait mais en futur. C'est assez bizarre mais, vous allez arriver. 

 

I'm puzzled by this tense. Is it typically used in conversation, or is it more frequently found in books?

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Thinking...