Expressing immediate and near-future actions with the present tense (Le Présent) in French

In French, Le Présent Indicatif is also used for other purposes other than to express actions in the present moment.

Learn how to use Le Présent (Indicatif) for immediate and future actions in French

In French, to express actions in the immediate future, we often use Le Présent (Indicatif).

Look at the following examples:

Ce soir, je fais à dîner.Tonight, I'm making dinner.

Son train arrive à dix heures demain matin.His train arrives at ten tomorrow morning.

Elle te rappelle plus tard, promis.She's calling you back later, I promise.

Je suis là dans deux secondes !I'll be there in two seconds!

J'arrive tout de suite !I'm coming right away!
I'll be right there!

Note that in English, the Simple Present, English Present Progressive or Simple Future can be used to talk about actions taking place in the immediate future:

Tonight, I'm making dinner. 
My train arrives tomorrow morning at 6am.
I'll be there in a minute! 

See also other uses of Le Présent (Indicatif):

Expressing current actions, habits and situations (English Present Tense) with the present tense (Le Présent) in French

Expressing ongoing actions (English Present Continuous) with the present tense (Le Présent) in French

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Learn more about these related French grammar topics

Examples and resources

Ce soir, je fais à dîner.Tonight, I'm making dinner.
Je suis là dans deux secondes !I'll be there in two seconds!
J'arrive tout de suite !I'm coming right away!
I'll be right there!
Elle te rappelle plus tard, promis.She's calling you back later, I promise.
Son train arrive à dix heures demain matin.His train arrives at ten tomorrow morning.
Je viens demainI'm coming tomorrow
Je prends mon train dans une heure.I'm taking my train in an hour.
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