Introduction
The French verb "aller" is an essential part of everyday communication. It serves as a tool to express movement, destinations, and future actions. By mastering "aller," you unlock the ability to convey where you are going and what you plan to do.
Conjugation of "Aller"
Present Tense
The present tense of "aller" is used to indicate current actions or states of being, such as where you are going right now or your plans for the immediate future.
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Je | vais |
| Tu | vas |
| Il/Elle | va |
| Nous | allons |
| Vous | allez |
| Ils/Elles | vont |
Imperfect Tense
The imperfect tense describes past actions that were ongoing or repeated, providing context or background in a narrative.
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Je | allais |
| Tu | allais |
| Il/Elle | allait |
| Nous | allions |
| Vous | alliez |
| Ils/Elles | allaient |
Near Future Tense
The near future tense ("futur proche") is formed using the present tense of "aller" followed by an infinitive verb. It’s used to talk about actions that are going to happen soon.
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Je | vais aller |
| Tu | vas aller |
| Il/Elle | va aller |
| Nous | allons aller |
| Vous | allez aller |
| Ils/Elles | vont aller |
Past Participle
The past participle of "aller" is used in compound tenses to describe completed actions.
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| allé | allés |
| allée | allées |
Key Uses of "Aller"
1. Indicating Movement
"Aller" is primarily used to express movement or travel from one place to another.
- Je vais à l'école. (I am going to school.)
- Nous allons au cinéma. (We are going to the cinema.)
2. Forming the Near Future
The structure "aller + infinitive" is used to describe actions that will happen in the near future.
- Je vais manger. (I am going to eat.)
- Ils vont voyager demain. (They are going to travel tomorrow.)
3. Describing Past Movement
Use the imperfect tense to talk about ongoing or repeated movement in the past.
- J'allais à la bibliothèque tous les jours. (I used to go to the library every day.)
- Nous allions souvent chez nos grands-parents. (We often went to our grandparents' house.)
Examples in Sentences
- Present Tense:
- Near Future:
- Imperfect Tense:
- Past Participle:
Conclusion
The verb "aller" is more than just a verb of movement; it's a gateway to expressing future intentions and plans. Whether you're discussing where you're headed or what you plan to do, "aller" provides the structure and clarity needed in communication. By incorporating "aller" into your French vocabulary, you gain the ability to articulate both present journeys and future events with precision.