The future tense (Futur I) in German is used to describe actions that will happen in the future. While the present tense is often used to express future intentions in spoken German, learning the future tense allows for greater precision and is particularly useful in formal writing and clear communication. In this lesson, you will learn how to form and use the future tense in German.
What You Will Learn
- The structure of the future tense in German.
- How to conjugate the auxiliary verb werden.
- Sentence structure with the future tense.
- The difference between the future and present tenses for future actions.
- Practice exercises to reinforce your understanding.
1. The Structure of the Future Tense
The future tense in German is formed using:
- The auxiliary verb werden (to become) conjugated in the present tense.
- The infinitive of the main verb, which appears at the end of the sentence.
Formula:
- Subject + conjugated werden + other elements + infinitive
Examples:
- Ich werde morgen arbeiten. (I will work tomorrow.)
- Sie wird bald ankommen. (She will arrive soon.)
- Wir werden das Projekt abschließen. (We will finish the project.)
2. Conjugating werden
The verb werden is irregular and is conjugated as follows in the present tense:
| Pronoun | Conjugation of werden | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ich | werde | Ich werde nach Hause gehen. |
| du | wirst | Du wirst das Buch lesen. |
| er/sie/es | wird | Er wird Lehrer werden. |
| wir | werden | Wir werden reisen. |
| ihr | werdet | Ihr werdet früh aufstehen. |
| sie/Sie | werden | Sie werden die Prüfung bestehen. |
3. Sentence Structure with the Future Tense
1. Basic Word Order in Statements
The conjugated form of werden appears in the second position, and the main verb (in its infinitive form) goes to the end of the sentence.
Examples:
- Ich werde heute ins Kino gehen. (I will go to the cinema today.)
- Wir werden das Haus renovieren. (We will renovate the house.)
2. Word Order in Questions
In yes/no questions, werden appears at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the subject.
Examples:
- Wirst du morgen kommen? (Will you come tomorrow?)
- Werden sie das Problem lösen? (Will they solve the problem?)
In W-questions, the question word comes first, followed by werden and the subject.
Examples:
- Wann wirst du fertig sein? (When will you be finished?)
- Was werden wir morgen machen? (What will we do tomorrow?)
3. Word Order in Subordinate Clauses
In subordinate clauses, werden follows the subject, and the main verb (infinitive) appears at the end.
Examples:
- Ich hoffe, dass sie das Buch lesen wird. (I hope that she will read the book.)
- Wir wissen, dass er morgen ankommen wird. (We know that he will arrive tomorrow.)
4. Using the Future vs. the Present Tense
In German, the present tense is often used to describe future actions, especially when the context makes the timing clear. The future tense is typically used:
- When emphasizing the certainty of a future event.
- In formal contexts or written German.
- To indicate a prediction or assumption about the future.
Examples:
- Present Tense: Ich gehe morgen ins Kino. (I am going to the cinema tomorrow.)
- The time expression morgen makes the future timing clear.
- Future Tense: Ich werde morgen ins Kino gehen. (I will go to the cinema tomorrow.)
- Adds emphasis to the statement.
- Prediction: Es wird bald regnen. (It will rain soon.)
5. The Future Tense for Assumptions
The future tense is often used to make assumptions or guesses about the present or future.
Examples:
- Das wird Peter sein. (That must be Peter.)
- Sie wird schon zu Hause sein. (She is probably already home.)
Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Conjugate werden
Conjugate werden for the following subjects:
- Ich __________ nach Italien reisen.
- Du __________ bald ankommen.
- Er __________ das Problem lösen.
- Wir __________ ein neues Auto kaufen.
- Ihr __________ fleißig lernen.
Exercise 2: Form the Future Tense
Rewrite the following sentences in the future tense:
- Ich gehe morgen zur Arbeit.
- Sie liest das Buch.
- Wir besuchen unsere Großeltern.
- Er arbeitet an seinem Projekt.
- Du machst die Hausaufgaben.
Exercise 3: Translate into German
Translate these sentences into German using the future tense:
- I will call you tomorrow.
- She will visit her friend next week.
- We will finish the report soon.
- Will you go to the party?
- They will buy a new house.
Exercise 4: Identify the Tense
Determine whether the following sentences use the present or future tense and explain the context:
- Er kommt morgen nach Hause.
- Wir werden ein Auto kaufen.
- Sie wird bestimmt anrufen.
- Ich gehe später ins Kino.
Summary
In this lesson, you learned:
- How to form the future tense in German using werden.
- The conjugation of werden and its placement in sentences.
- When to use the future tense versus the present tense.
- How to use the future tense for predictions and assumptions.
Homework
- Write 5 sentences in the future tense describing your plans for the weekend.
- Create 3 questions in the future tense, including one W-question.
- Listen to native German speakers and note their use of the future tense versus the present tense.