Future Tense (Futur I)

Level 3

Structure: werden (conjugated) + Infinitive (at the end).
Usage: Intentions, predictions, and assumptions about the present.

How It Works

The Futur I is a periphrastic (multi-word) tense. It follows the Satzklammer (sentence bracket) rule in main clauses, where the conjugated verb stays in position 2 and the infinitive moves to the very end. In subordinate clauses, however, the conjugated auxiliary werden moves to the very end, following the infinitive (e.g., '...dass er kommen wird').

1. Conjugation of 'werden':
The auxiliary verb werden is irregular in the 2nd and 3rd person singular, where the stem vowel changes and the 'd' is dropped in the 'du' form:

2. When to use it:

  • Predictions: 'Es wird morgen regnen.' (It will rain tomorrow.)
  • Intentions/Promises: 'Ich werde dich immer lieben.' (I will always love you.)
  • Present Assumptions: To express a guess about the present, you typically use a 'particle of probability' like wohl, sicher, or bestimmt: 'Er wird wohl zu Hause sein.' (He is probably at home right now.)
  • Commands and Warnings: Futur I can express a strong, emphatic command: 'Du wirst jetzt sofort deine Hausaufgaben machen!' (You will do your homework right now!)

3. Special Constructions:

  • Main Verb 'werden': If the main verb is also 'werden' (to become), it appears at the end: 'Er wird Lehrer werden.'
  • Modal Verbs: If you use a modal verb in Futur I, the modal verb moves to the end in its infinitive form: 'Ich werde das machen müssen.' (I will have to do that.)

4. Futur I vs. Präsens:
In spoken German, if you have a time marker like 'morgen' (tomorrow) or 'nächste Woche' (next week), you usually just use the Präsens: 'Ich fliege morgen nach Berlin' is more natural than 'Ich werde morgen nach Berlin fliegen.'

Examples (6)

  1. Ich werde morgen das Auto waschen.

    I will wash the car tomorrow.

    Word by Word: I will tomorrow the car wash.

    A standard future intention. Note how 'waschen' moves to the very end of the sentence.

  2. Es wird heute Abend bestimmt gewittern.

    It will certainly be a thunderstorm this evening.

    Word by Word: It will today evening certainly thunder-storm.

    Used here for a weather prediction.

  3. Wo ist Lukas? Er wird wohl im Garten sein.

    Where is Lukas? He is probably in the garden.

    Word by Word: Where is Lukas? He will probably in-the garden be.

    This demonstrates the 'present assumption' use of Futur I, indicating probability rather than future time.

  4. Wir werden die Prüfung bestehen!

    We will pass the exam!

    Word by Word: We will the exam pass!

    Used for a strong expression of intent or confidence.

  5. Wirst du mir bei den Hausaufgaben helfen?

    Will you help me with the homework?

    Word by Word: Will you me at the homework help?

    In questions, 'werden' moves to the first position, but the infinitive 'helfen' remains at the end.

  6. Mein Sohn wird bald Arzt werden.

    My son will soon become a doctor.

    Word by Word: My son will soon doctor become.

    When 'werden' is the main verb (meaning 'to become'), it appears twice: once as the auxiliary and once as the infinitive at the end.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'wollen' (to want) to express the future because it sounds like 'will'.

    Ich will morgen kommen.
    Ich werde morgen kommen.

    'Ich will' means 'I want to'. To say 'I will' with the future tense, use 'werden'. The present tense, 'Ich komme morgen', also works.

  • Placing the infinitive immediately after 'werden'.

    Ich werde gehen nach Hause.
    Ich werde nach Hause gehen.

    German syntax requires the infinitive to be at the very end of the clause.

  • Using Futur I when the present tense sounds more natural.

    Ich werde morgen Brot kaufen.
    Ich kaufe morgen Brot.

    Futur I is correct here, but the present tense sounds more natural for simple plans with a time word. Use the present tense for scheduled future events.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Future Tense (Futur I)Level 3

Learn This First

To learn Futur I, you need to know how to conjugate verbs in the present tense (specifically 'werden') and understand the German sentence structure where an auxiliary verb is paired with an infinitive at the end of the sentence.

Words in This Pattern