use of future vers future proche

Question

HiIs it acceptable to use future proche for this article.  For example, I think I said 'Je vais rendre visite ... '  rather than 'Je rendrai visite'.  Is the event discussed too far in the future to be able to use the future proche?ThanksMegan

Accepted Answer

Bonjour Megan,
As per the instructions, the aim of the exercise is to practise Le Futur Simple.
However, as Maarten as pointed out, in everyday conversation, Le Futur Proche is now often used as a substitute for Le Futur Simple.

Tu partiras le week-end prochain = you will leave next weekend
Tu vas partir le week-end prochain = you are going to leave next weekend

Il déménagera en décembre = he will move house in December
Il va déménager en décembre = he is going to move house in December

I hope this is helpful
Bonne journée!

Answer

The use of «will verb» throughout the translated story indicates the use of simple future tense is required. Future proche is translated to «going to verb» , and uses '(aller conj.) verb infinitive' as a compound verb. Although usually said to divide the future on temporal closeness without strict time limits, this is changing in everyday use and as the linked article notes, future proche is used more extensively than just 'close future' and helps indicate things with a high certainty of happening.  Future tense is definitely still alive though, and especially in formal communication. https://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/french-verb-conjugation/2-french-future-tenses-futur-proche-simple/