Using Quand
English and French use quite different approaches in dealing with the future tense. First, let's look at the word quand. In English we say:
- Tomorrow, when I talk (present tense verb) to my friend, I will invite (future tense verb) him to the concert.
Even though "talk" is not explicitly in the future tense, we simply assume that the present tense "talk" has a future meaning.
In French, the verb talk must be in the future tense:
- Demain quand je parlerai à mon ami je l'inviterai au concert.
Quand, used to refer to the future, must be followed by a future verb. Quand will be the word that introduces the dependent clause of the sentence.
Just in case you are confused by my use of "dependent" and "independent" clause: A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. An independent clause is one that can stand alone and which contains a complete thought. A dependent clause cannot stand alone; it doesn't make complete sense without the independent clause.
Example:
Quand j'aurai 18 ans (dependent clause) je conduirai la voiture (independent clause).
Both verbs must be in the future tense in French. It doesn't matter which clause comes first. We can also say: Je conduirai la voiture quand j'aurai 18 ans. The French logic is that quand, with a future construction, signifies a sure thing coming in the future.
Examples:
Les élèves achèteront leurs cahiers quand ils iront à la papeterie.
Quand je serai en France je resterai à un bon hôtel.
Vous partirez quand le taxi arrivera.
Using Si
Si is used as the introductory word in the dependent clause. Si will be followed by a present tense verb when the verb in the independent clause is present, future, or imperative. For French speakers, the use of si expresses a possibility, not a sure thing.
