French: Making Fixed Future Arrangements with the Present Continuous
Learn to use the French present continuous (être en train de + infinitive) to talk about confirmed future arrangements, like 'I'm meeting Ana at six.'
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In English, you often use the present continuous for fixed future arrangements: 'I'm meeting Ana at six.' French has a similar structure, but it works differently. The French present continuous, formed with être en train de + infinitive, usually describes an action in progress right now, not a future arrangement. To talk about a confirmed future arrangement in French, you normally use the simple present (le présent) with a future time expression. This lesson teaches you how to express fixed arrangements naturally in French, focusing on the simple present with time expressions, and clarifies when the present continuous is appropriate.
By the end, you can…
- talk about fixed future arrangements using the French simple present with time expressions.
- distinguish between an action in progress and a confirmed future arrangement in French.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Je rencontre Ana à six heures.
I'm meeting Ana at six.
zhuh ron-truh ah-nah ah see uhr
Use the simple present for a fixed arrangement. 'Rencontrer' means to meet by arrangement.
Je suis en train de travailler.
I am working (right now).
zhuh swee zahn tren duh trah-vah-yay
This is the present continuous, used for an action happening now, not for future arrangements.
On se voit demain à midi.
We're seeing each other tomorrow at noon.
on suh vwah duh-man ah mee-dee
The simple present with 'demain' expresses a fixed arrangement. 'On' often means 'we' in informal French.
Elle part à huit heures.
She's leaving at eight.
el par ah wee uhr
Simple present for a scheduled departure. Context makes the future meaning clear.
Nous dînons chez Marie ce soir.
We're having dinner at Marie's tonight.
noo dee-non shay mah-ree suh swahr
Simple present for a fixed social arrangement. 'Ce soir' indicates the future.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To talk about a fixed future arrangement in French, use the simple present (le présent) of the verb + a future time expression. For example: 'Je rencontre Ana à six heures.' (I'm meeting Ana at six.) 'Nous dînons chez Marie ce soir.' (We're having dinner at Marie's tonight.) The present continuous 'être en train de + infinitive' is not used for future arrangements; it means 'to be in the process of doing something right now', as in 'Je suis en train de travailler.' (I am working right now.)
When to use it
Use the simple present for confirmed future arrangements when the time is specified or clear from context. This is common with verbs like 'rencontrer' (to meet), 'voir' (to see), 'partir' (to leave), 'dîner' (to have dinner), and 'aller' (to go). For example: 'On se voit demain.' (We're seeing each other tomorrow.) 'Je pars à huit heures.' (I'm leaving at eight.) If you want to emphasize that something is happening right now, use 'être en train de': 'Je suis en train de manger.' (I'm eating right now.) Do not use 'être en train de' for future arrangements.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Salut ! Tu es libre ce soir ?
Hi! Are you free tonight?sah-lew ! tew ay lee-bruh suh swahr ?Non, je suis en train de travailler, mais je rencontre Ana à six heures.
No, I'm working right now, but I'm meeting Ana at six.non, zhuh swee zahn tren duh trah-vah-yay, meh zhuh ron-truh ah-nah ah see uhrAh bon ? Vous dînez ensemble ?
Oh really? Are you having dinner together?ah bon ? voo dee-nay ahn-sahn-bluh ?Oui, nous dînons au restaurant à sept heures.
Yes, we're having dinner at the restaurant at seven.wee, noo dee-non oh res-toh-rahn ah set uhrA little context goes a long way
In French, the simple present is the standard way to talk about fixed future arrangements, especially in informal conversation. The present continuous 'être en train de' is used for actions in progress and is not a future tense. In Quebec, you might hear 'Je suis après travailler' for 'I am working right now', but this is not used for future arrangements. Always rely on context and time expressions to convey future meaning.
One thing to watch for
Using 'être en train de' for future arrangements, e.g., 'Je suis en train de rencontrer Ana à six heures.'
Try this instead: Use the simple present: 'Je rencontre Ana à six heures.' The present continuous is only for actions happening now, like 'Je suis en train de manger.' (I am eating right now.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'm meeting Ana at six' in French?
Show a sample answer
Je rencontre Ana à six heures.
The simple present 'rencontre' with the time expression 'à six heures' expresses a fixed arrangement. 'Je suis en train de rencontrer' would mean 'I am meeting (right now)' and is not used for future.
2What does 'Je suis en train de travailler' mean?
Show a sample answer
I am working right now.
This is the present continuous, used for an action in progress. It does not refer to a future arrangement.
3Translate: 'We're having dinner at Marie's tonight.'
Show a sample answer
Nous dînons chez Marie ce soir.
Use the simple present 'dînons' with 'ce soir' for a fixed arrangement. 'On dîne chez Marie ce soir' is also common in informal French.
For fixed future arrangements in French, use the simple present with a time expression, not the present continuous. Reserve 'être en train de' for actions happening right now.
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