When to use Future or Present tense

Question

Hi, I don't really understand when to use the present tense and when to use the future tense after "prochain". eg L'année prochaine, il commence l'université AND  En septembre prochain, Gareth visitera Madrid. In fact I'm a bit vague on Future/Present options in general....A pointer towards a lesson would be appreciated, Thanks.

Accepted Answer

I think you can use either in this case, just like in English. Your 2 examples in English could be: Next year he is starting university (or next year he will start university); and next September Gareth will visit Madrid (or next September Gareth is visiting Madrid). Like in English you could also use the futur proche here - next year he is going to start university, and next September Gareth is going to visit Madrid. (But on the other hand it IS different after “quand”, “lorsque”, “dès que” etc when you can only use the future tense in French e.g. “Quand tu arriveras, on prendra un verre ensemble”, whereas in English we use the present - “When you get here …”)

Answer

Hi Jennifer,
Here are a few links that you might find useful:
Using Le Présent for immediate/near future actions 
Using Le Présent where English uses Present Tense (current actions, habits and situations)
Using Le Présent for ongoing actions where English uses Present Continuous
I hope this is helpful.
Bonne journée !