French Phrase
Et les prochaines étapes ?
Meaning
Literally “And the next steps?” It is a concise way to ask what will happen next in a project, meeting, or any sequence of actions. The phrase is neutral in register but leans toward a professional or academic setting.
When to use
Use it after you have presented an idea, a plan, or a report and you want the interlocutor to outline the upcoming actions. It works well in business meetings, classroom discussions, or any collaborative environment where concrete follow‑up is expected.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Etlesprochainesétapes?
Et (conjunction)
Used to link ideas; here it introduces a follow‑up question.
les (definite article, plural)
Agrees with the plural noun "étapes" and the adjective "prochaines".
prochaines (adjective, feminine plural)
Matches the gender and number of "étapes"; the -es ending signals feminine plural.
étapes (noun, feminine plural)
Means “steps” or “stages”; always used with the feminine article.
Question intonation
In spoken French the pitch rises at the end; no need for a question word because the context makes it clear.
🗨In Conversation
Et les prochaines étapes ?
And the next steps?
Nous devons d'abord finaliser le budget, puis lancer le prototype la semaine prochaine.
We first need to finalize the budget, then launch the prototype next week.
✕Common Mistakes
Et les prochaine étapes ?
The adjective must agree in gender and number with the noun; it should be "prochaines".
Et le prochaine étape ?
Both the article and adjective must be plural because "étapes" is plural.
Et les prochaine étape ?
Missing the plural -s on both the adjective and the noun; correct form is "les prochaines étapes".
↔Alternatives
Quelles sont les prochaines étapes ?
What are the next steps?
Quel est le prochain pas ?
What is the next step?
Comment allons‑nous procéder ?
How shall we proceed?
Cultural Tip
In French professional culture, asking for "les prochaines étapes" signals that you are results‑oriented and want clarity. Keep the tone courteous; adding "s’il vous plaît" or a brief thank‑you (e.g., "Merci d’avance") can soften the request, especially with senior colleagues.