This simple tense describes an event that is going to happen soon, usually within the next twenty four hours. Even though we may use this in English instead of the real future tense, note that you may lose marks in an exam by using this instead of the real one. You may get away with it at the beginning, but some examiners are very strict on this.
Formation:
You must know the verb 'aller- to go' in order to use this
1) Take any form of aller*, e.g. on** va
2) Add any infinitive e.g. choisir
Examples of this tense:
On va choisir- one is going to choose
Nous allons (aller)- we are going (to go)
There is one instance where it isn't necessary to use an infinitive, and that is with aller, since by saying "I am going" you are already referring to the future.
Another translation for this tense is "is about to"
Il va sortir- he is going to go out/ he is about to go out
*Je vais/ tu vas/ il\ elle\ on va/ nous allons/ vous allez/ ils\ elles vont
**also note that, for 'on', the translation of 'one' is very general; in fact, 'on' is very loosely translated. Sometimes it can mean I, we or you, which can make it confusing at times. But the French tend to use 'on' when speaking about first person plural (we) and 'nous' in written form. Again, you can use either/ or- there are multiple ways of saying the same thing in French, and that is OK- as long as it's correct! Also remember that the language varies from country to country. Take Canada, for instance- the French can barely understand a Canadian speaking Quebec French. So what you say in one place may not be what others say, and you should usually be understood quite well!