What is the German Future Tense? (Futur 1)
The Futur 1 is the tense we use to express that something will happen in the future.
Examples:
- „Wir werden ein neues Auto kaufen.“
- „Er wird wahrscheinlich nicht kommen.“
- „Es wird morgen regnen.“
- „Ich werde nach Italien fliegen.“
- „Ich werde lieb sein, versprochen!“
How to use the Futur 1:
We form the German future tense with the helping verb „werden“ (conjugated) + the infinitive form of the main verb:
Recommendation: The Verb „werden“
To form the Future Tense 1, you need the verb „werden“. For more details on conjugation, word order and usage of „werden“, there is also a separate lesson: The Verb „werden“
Word Order:
The regular word order with two verbs in one sentence applies here. The conjugated verb „werden“ goes in position 2 (or position 1 if it's a question), and the main verb goes at the end of the sentence.
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When do we use the Futur 1?
There are two ways to talk about the future in German:
Future with the German Future Tense: Futur 1
The actual future tense with "werden" is used to express an intention, prediction, or guess: You are not completely sure it will happen.
Theoretically, it can always be used, but it expresses some doubt whether it will actually occur.
- „Er wird nächsten Monat (vielleicht) ein Auto kaufen.“
Future with Simple Present + Time Specification
In spoken language, we normally use the simple present, along with a time specification (i.e. "in 2030," "next year," "tomorrow," etc.), to talk about things that will happen in the future.
There is just one condition that needs to be fulfilled - we need to be quite sure it will happen.
- „Wir kaufen nächsten Monat ein neues Auto.“
Warning:
When using this construction, you have to include a time specification in the sentence or the time when the action will happen has to be universally known. Otherwise people will think you are just talking about the present.
Comparison: Present Tense vs. Futur 1
- „Ich werde nach Italien fliegen.“
(One day, sometime. The flight probably isn’t booked.) - „Ich fliege (nächstes Jahr) nach Italien.“
(That is a firm plan. It will happen for sure)
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Related Topic:
Entire lesson in German only: Futur 1
Some verbs you have to separate when you conjugate them - Trennbare Verben (Separable Verbs).
More lessons about Tenses:
- Perfekt (Perfect Tense)
- Präsens (Present Tense)
- Präteritum (Past Tense)
- Plusquamperfekt (Past Perfect Tense)
- Futur 2 (Future 2)
What is the general German word order? - Satzbau (Sentence Structure).
You can find an overview of all topics under German Grammar.
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