Languages › French French Expressions \with the Verb 'Aller' The essential French verb 'aller' lets you go away, go fishing and more. Share Flipboard Email Print Deux / Getty Images French Vocabulary Pronunciation & Conversation Grammar Resources For Teachers By ThoughtCo Team Updated on March 27, 2019 The French verb aller, which means "to go," is used in many French idiomatic expressions. Learn how to go fishing, get to the bottom of things, go away and more with this list of expressions with aller. There's a good reason why so many expressions use aller; it's one of the most common and important verbs in the French language. There are a few basics to keep in mind with aller. First, it's an irregular verb, so it doesn't follow typical conjugation patterns. You just have to memorize its many forms. Second, the very common passé composé tense of aller uses the auxiliary verb être. (Je suis allé means I went, I have gone). This means that the past participle in this instance, has to agree with the Je, or the I that's speaking. So If a girl said that, the past participle would have an additional e at the end of the participle to indicate a feminine subject: Je suis allée. Another important peculiarity of aller is its use in constructing the near future. Combine the present tense of aller + the infinitive of an action verb to make the near future, or le futur proche. The construction means "to be going to" or "to be going to do something". Common French Expressing Using 'Aller' French Expression English Translation aller à la pêche to go fishing aller à la rencontre de quelqu'un to go meet someone aller à pied to go on foot aller à quelqu'un to be becoming, to suit aller au-devant de quelqu'un to go meet someone aller au fond des choses to get to the bottom of things aller avec quelque chose to match; to go with something aller chercher to go get; to get; to fetch aller de pair avec to go hand in hand with aller en voiture to go by car aller sans dire; ça va sans dire to go without saying; that goes without saying Allez-y! Go ahead! Allons donc! Come on then! Allons-y ! Let's go! Ça va ? Comment allez-vous ? Comment vas-tu ? How are you? On y va ? Shall we go? On y va ! Let's go! s'en aller to go away Cite this Article Format mla apa chicago Your Citation Team, ThoughtCo. "French Expressions \with the Verb 'Aller'." ThoughtCo, Dec. 6, 2021, thoughtco.com/french-expressions-with-aller-1368643. Team, ThoughtCo. (2021, December 6). French Expressions \with the Verb 'Aller'. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/french-expressions-with-aller-1368643 Team, ThoughtCo. "French Expressions \with the Verb 'Aller'." ThoughtCo. https://www.thoughtco.com/french-expressions-with-aller-1368643 (accessed March 21, 2023). copy citation By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies