Future (Leaving Cert German): Revision Notes
Future
Overview
The German future tense (Zukunft) is used to talk about future events, plans, and intentions. It's actually one of the simplest German grammar topics to master! You'll use this tense when you want to express what will happen or what you plan to do later.
The future tense is perfect for discussing:
- Future plans and appointments
- Predictions about what will happen
- Promises and intentions
Interestingly, Germans often use the present tense to talk about future events in casual conversation, especially when the context makes it clear that they're referring to the future. This is completely natural and widely accepted!
Rules & formation
Creating the German future tense follows a straightforward pattern. You combine a conjugated form of the auxiliary verb werden (to become/will) with the infinitive of your main verb.
Formation Formula: werden (conjugated) + infinitive (main verb)
The beauty of this system is that the main verb always stays in its infinitive form - you only need to conjugate werden to match your subject.
Alternative future expression
German speakers frequently use the present tense to express future events, particularly when the timing is clear from context. This is completely natural and often preferred in spoken German.
Alternative Expression Examples:
Present tense for future: Ich gehe morgen ins Kino (I'm going to the cinema tomorrow)
Future tense: Ich werde morgen ins Kino gehen (I will go to the cinema tomorrow)
Both sentences are correct, but the first one sounds more natural in everyday conversation.
Table of key forms
Here's the complete conjugation of werden for forming the future tense:
| 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/you will (formal) |
Example sentences
Here are practical examples showing the future tense in context:
Practical Future Tense Examples:
Ich werde nächste Woche meine Eltern treffen. I will meet my parents next week. This sentence uses the future tense to express a definite future plan.
Sie wird morgen nicht ins Café kommen. She won't come to the café tomorrow. Here, the future tense expresses what won't happen.
Wirst du sie wiedersehen? Will you see her again? This question uses the future tense to ask about future possibilities.
Ich werde ein Buch lesen. I will read a book. This shows a simple future intention.
Du wirst das Examen bestehen. You will pass the exam. This expresses confidence about a future outcome.
Er wird mich bald besuchen. He will visit me soon. This indicates a future visit.
Wir werden dich im Kino treffen. We will meet you in the cinema. This shows a future arrangement.
Sie werden das Visum bekommen. You will get the visa. This expresses a prediction about receiving something.
Word order rules
Understanding word order is crucial for using the future tense correctly in German sentences.
In statements
Statement Word Order Rules:
- Place the conjugated form of werden in the second position (after the subject)
- Put the main verb (infinitive) at the very end of the sentence
Example: Ich werde nächste Woche nach Berlin fahren. I will travel to Berlin next week.
In questions
Question Word Order Rules:
- Place the conjugated form of werden right after the question word
- Put the main verb (infinitive) at the end of the sentence
- If there's no question word, werden goes in the first position
Examples:
- Wann wirst du mich besuchen? (When will you visit me?)
- Wirst du mich besuchen? (Will you visit me?)
Common mistakes & tips
Mistake 1: Forgetting the infinitive at the end ❌ Incorrect: Ich werde gehen morgen ins Kino. ✅ Correct: Ich werde morgen ins Kino gehen.
Remember that the infinitive always goes at the end of the sentence.
Mistake 2: Conjugating the main verb ❌ Incorrect: Ich werde gehe ins Kino. ✅ Correct: Ich werde ins Kino gehen.
The main verb always stays in its infinitive form - never conjugate it!
Mistake 3: Wrong word order in questions ❌ Incorrect: Wirst besuchen du mich? ✅ Correct: Wirst du mich besuchen?
In questions, the subject comes immediately after the conjugated werden.
Tip: Practice with time expressions Using time expressions like morgen (tomorrow), nächste Woche (next week), or bald (soon) helps make your future tense sentences sound more natural and provides clear context.
Tip: Don't overuse it Remember that Germans often prefer using the present tense for future events, especially in spoken German. Listen to how native speakers express future ideas and you'll develop a natural feel for when to use each form.
Remember!
Key Points to Remember:
- The German future tense uses werden + infinitive - it's that simple!
- Only conjugate werden; the main verb always stays in infinitive form
- werden goes in second position in statements, and the infinitive goes at the end
- Germans often use present tense to talk about the future, especially in casual conversation
- Word order in questions: werden comes right after the question word, infinitive at the end