When learning German, understanding how to express future actions is essential. In English, we often use the auxiliary verb “will” to indicate the future tense, as in “I will go to the store.” In German, the future tense is commonly formed using the verb “werden”. This construction is straightforward once you grasp the basic rules and patterns.
Introduction to “werden”
In German, the verb “werden” plays a crucial role not only in forming the future tense but also in passive voice constructions and in expressing changes of state. For our purposes, we’ll focus on its use in the future tense.
The verb “werden” means “to become” in its base form, but when combined with an infinitive verb, it functions similarly to the English “will.” For example:
– Ich werde gehen. (I will go.)
– Du wirst lernen. (You will learn.)
– Er wird kommen. (He will come.)
Conjugation of “werden”
Before diving into sentence structures, it’s important to master the conjugation of “werden.” Here is how “werden” is conjugated in the present tense:
– Ich werde
– Du wirst
– Er/Sie/Es wird
– Wir werden
– Ihr werdet
– Sie werden
Remember that the verb “werden” changes according to the subject of the sentence. This is crucial for constructing grammatically correct sentences.
Basic Sentence Structure
The structure for forming the future tense in German is relatively simple:
1. Subject
2. Conjugated form of “werden”
3. Other elements of the sentence (optional)
4. Infinitive verb
Let’s look at a few examples:
– Ich werde morgen arbeiten. (I will work tomorrow.)
– Du wirst bald ankommen. (You will arrive soon.)
– Wir werden das Buch lesen. (We will read the book.)
In these examples, “werden” is conjugated to match the subject, and the main verb appears at the end of the sentence in its infinitive form.
Negating Future Tense Sentences
To make a sentence negative, simply add “nicht” before the infinitive verb:
– Ich werde nicht kommen. (I will not come.)
– Sie wird nicht teilnehmen. (She will not participate.)
– Wir werden nicht fahren. (We will not drive.)
The placement of “nicht” can vary slightly depending on the sentence structure and elements, but it generally precedes the infinitive verb at the end of the sentence.
Using Time Expressions
Time expressions are useful for clarifying when an action will take place. In German, these expressions often come at the beginning or end of the sentence:
– Morgen werde ich ins Kino gehen. (Tomorrow I will go to the cinema.)
– Ich werde nächstes Jahr Deutsch lernen. (I will learn German next year.)
Common time expressions include:
– morgen (tomorrow)
– nächstes Jahr (next year)
– bald (soon)
– später (later)
Examples with Time Expressions
– Du wirst bald sehen. (You will see soon.)
– Er wird später kommen. (He will come later.)
– Wir werden nächste Woche umziehen. (We will move next week.)
Time expressions can provide context and make your sentences clearer and more specific.
Questions in the Future Tense
Forming questions in the future tense is also straightforward. Simply invert the subject and the conjugated form of “werden”:
– Wirst du morgen arbeiten? (Will you work tomorrow?)
– Werden wir ins Kino gehen? (Will we go to the cinema?)
– Wird sie das Buch lesen? (Will she read the book?)
In these cases, the infinitive verb remains at the end of the sentence, just like in declarative sentences.
Examples of Questions
– Wirst du bald ankommen? (Will you arrive soon?)
– Werden sie das verstehen? (Will they understand that?)
– Wird es regnen? (Will it rain?)
These structures are essential for engaging in conversations about future plans and events.
Complex Sentences and Subordinate Clauses
Sometimes, you’ll want to use the future tense in more complex sentences, including those with subordinate clauses. In these sentences, the conjugated form of “werden” often appears in the main clause, while the infinitive verb appears at the end of the subordinate clause.
– Ich glaube, dass ich morgen arbeiten werde. (I believe that I will work tomorrow.)
– Sie hofft, dass er bald ankommen wird. (She hopes that he will arrive soon.)
– Wir wissen, dass sie das Buch lesen werden. (We know that they will read the book.)
In these sentences, the conjunctions “dass” (that) and “ob” (if/whether) introduce the subordinate clauses.
Subordinate Clause Examples
– Ich hoffe, dass du morgen kommen wirst. (I hope that you will come tomorrow.)
– Wir glauben, dass es später regnen wird. (We believe that it will rain later.)
– Sie denken, dass wir bald umziehen werden. (They think that we will move soon.)
Understanding these structures will allow you to express more nuanced thoughts and predictions.
Alternative Future Forms
In addition to using “werden,” Germans sometimes use the present tense with a future time expression to indicate future actions. This is especially common in spoken German:
– Morgen gehe ich ins Kino. (Tomorrow I am going to the cinema.)
– Nächstes Jahr lerne ich Deutsch. (Next year I am learning German.)
While this form is widely understood and used, especially in informal contexts, using “werden” is often clearer and more precise, particularly in written German.
Examples of Present Tense for Future Actions
– Ich gehe morgen einkaufen. (I am going shopping tomorrow.)
– Du kommst später, oder? (You are coming later, right?)
– Er besucht uns nächste Woche. (He is visiting us next week.)
Although these sentences use the present tense, the time expressions make it clear that the actions are set in the future.
Common Mistakes and Pitfalls
When learning to use “werden” for future tense, be aware of some common mistakes:
1. **Misplacing the Infinitive Verb:** Ensure that the infinitive verb always comes at the end of the sentence.
– Incorrect: Ich werde ins Kino gehen morgen.
– Correct: Ich werde morgen ins Kino gehen.
2. **Using the Wrong Conjugation:** Double-check that “werden” is correctly conjugated to match the subject.
– Incorrect: Du werde ins Kino gehen.
– Correct: Du wirst ins Kino gehen.
3. **Confusing “werden” with “sein” or “haben”:** These verbs are used in other contexts but not for forming the future tense.
– Incorrect: Ich bin morgen arbeiten.
– Correct: Ich werde morgen arbeiten.
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding, try these practice exercises. Convert the following sentences into the future tense using “werden”:
1. Ich kaufe ein Buch. (I buy a book.)
2. Du lernst Deutsch. (You learn German.)
3. Er spielt Fußball. (He plays soccer.)
4. Wir besuchen unsere Freunde. (We visit our friends.)
5. Sie reisen nach Berlin. (They travel to Berlin.)
Answers:
1. Ich werde ein Buch kaufen.
2. Du wirst Deutsch lernen.
3. Er wird Fußball spielen.
4. Wir werden unsere Freunde besuchen.
5. Sie werden nach Berlin reisen.
Conclusion
Mastering the future tense with “werden” is a vital step in your German language learning journey. By understanding the conjugation of “werden,” constructing basic and complex sentences, and practicing regularly, you’ll be able to express future actions with ease and confidence.
Remember, practice makes perfect. Use the future tense in your daily conversations, writing, and exercises to reinforce your learning. Viel Erfolg! (Good luck!)
