Le futur de conjecture · fiche
1 · A present clue, an earlier explanation
The missing reply is visible now. Aura oublié proposes a past cause of that silence. Translate the explanation as “must have” or “probably”, according to the tone.
Paul n’a pas répondu. Il aura oublié notre rendez-vous.Paul hasn’t replied. He must have forgotten our appointment.
2 · A simple future can identify someone now
A knock supplies the clue. Ce sera… expresses the speaker’s guess about who is at the door.
On frappe. Ce sera Paul : il devait passer ce matin.Someone’s knocking. That’ll be Paul: he was due to drop by this morning.
3 · A future deadline gives a future-perfect reading
Demain à midi places completion before a later reference point. There is a plan or prediction here, rather than an explanation of an earlier omission.
Demain à midi, Paul aura terminé son rapport.By noon tomorrow, Paul will have finished his report.
4 · Build the form with the usual auxiliary
Use future avoir or être + the past participle. Partir keeps être and agreement: elle sera partie. An earlier object can also affect an avoir participle.
Elle ne répond pas. Elle sera déjà partie.She isn’t answering. She must have left already.
Ces messages, il les aura lus trop vite.He must have read those messages too quickly.
5 · Separate your guess from a reported claim
Il aura oublié offers your explanation. In the example below, aurait oublié passes on information from another person. Aura and aurait differ by one letter and by their role in this context.
Selon sa collègue, Paul aurait oublié le rendez-vous.According to his colleague, Paul reportedly forgot the appointment.