Future (Junior Cert German): Revision Notes
Future
Overview
The German future tense is used to talk about events that will happen later. It's one of the most straightforward tenses in German grammar, making it much easier to learn than many other German structures. You'll use this tense when making plans, predictions, or discussing upcoming events.
The good news is that German has only one main future form, unlike English which has several different ways to express future meaning (will, going to, present continuous for future, etc.).
Why German Future Tense is Easier Than English
Unlike English with its multiple future forms ("will go", "going to go", "am going"), German uses just one structure: the auxiliary verb "werden" plus the infinitive form of your main verb.
Rules & formation
German future tense is formed using a simple two-part structure. You need the auxiliary verb "werden" (to become/will) plus the infinitive form of your main verb.
Core Formation Rule:
werden + infinitive
The auxiliary verb "werden" changes according to who is doing the action, while the main verb stays in its infinitive form and moves to the end of the sentence.
Here's how it works step by step:
- Choose the correct form of "werden" based on your subject
- Place it in the normal verb position (second position in statements)
- Put the infinitive of your main verb at the very end of the sentence
Table of key forms
| Pronoun | werden | English |
|---|---|---|
| ich | werde | I will |
| du | wirst | you will (informal) |
| er/sie/es | wird | he/she/it will |
| wir | werden | we will |
| ihr | werdet | you will (plural) |
| sie/Sie | werden | they will/you will (formal) |
Example sentences
Here are practical examples showing how the future tense works in context:
Worked Examples: German Future Tense Structure
Ich werde ein Buch lesen.
I will read a book.
- The auxiliary "werde" is in second position
- The infinitive "lesen" goes at the end
Du wirst das Examen bestehen.
You will pass the exam.
- "wirst" matches with "du"
- "bestehen" (the main verb) sits at the sentence end
Er wird mich bald besuchen.
He will visit me soon.
- Even with the word "bald" (soon) in the middle
- "besuchen" must go to the final position
Wir werden dich im Kino treffen.
We will meet you in the cinema.
- The infinitive "treffen" comes after all other sentence elements
Ihr werdet mich nicht fangen.
You won't catch me.
- Notice how "fangen" stays at the end, even in negative sentences
Sie werden das Visum bekommen.
They will get the visa.
- "bekommen" (the main action) goes to the sentence end
Word order rules
The placement of words follows specific patterns depending on whether you're making a statement or asking a question.
Statement Word Order:
- Put the correct form of "werden" right after the subject
- Place the main verb (infinitive) at the very end of the sentence
- All other words (objects, time expressions, etc.) go in the middle
Question Word Order:
- Put the correct form of "werden" right after the question word
- Place the main verb (infinitive) at the very end of the sentence
- If there's no question word, "werden" goes at the very beginning
Examples of question formation:
Wann wirst du mich besuchen? When are you going to visit me?
Wirst du mich besuchen? Are you going to visit me?
Common mistakes & tips
Many German speakers actually prefer using the present tense to talk about future events, especially in everyday conversation. This makes German simpler than you might expect.
Natural German Usage
Instead of saying "Ich werde morgen ins Kino gehen" (I will go to the cinema tomorrow), Germans often say "Ich gehe morgen ins Kino" (I go to the cinema tomorrow). Both are correct, but the present tense version sounds more natural.
When you do use the future tense, remember these key points:
Most Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Word order errors: The most common mistake is forgetting to put the infinitive at the end. Always check that your main verb is in the final position, no matter how long your sentence becomes.
Conjugation confusion: Make sure you're using the right form of "werden" for your subject. "Wirst" only goes with "du", "wird" only with "er/sie/es", and so on.
Overusing the future tense: Don't feel you must always use future tense when talking about future events. German speakers frequently use present tense with time words like "morgen" (tomorrow) or "nächste Woche" (next week).
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- German future tense uses werden + infinitive - much simpler than English future forms
- The infinitive always goes to the end of the sentence, regardless of what comes before it
- Present tense is often used instead of future tense in everyday German conversation
- Word order changes between statements (werden in second position) and questions (werden after question word or at the start)
- Only the auxiliary verb "werden" changes - the main verb stays in infinitive form