By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Use werden as the auxiliary verb
- The main verb stays in the infinitive
- Use Futur I for predictions
- Negatives and questions
- Two functions of werden
- Usage, exceptions and meaning
Simple explanation
Futur I is a German future tense used to talk about future events, predictions, intentions, promises, and assumptions. It is formed with the auxiliary verb werden and the infinitive form of the main verb. This lesson explains the structure, usage, common mistakes, and practical examples for B1 learners.
Use werden as the auxiliary verb
The verb werden changes according to the subject: ich werde, du wirst, er/sie/es wird, wir werden, ihr werdet, sie/Sie werden.
The main verb stays in the infinitive
After werden, the main verb remains in its basic form and moves to the end of the sentence: Ich werde lernen.
Use Futur I for predictions
Futur I is often used when the speaker predicts something about the future or makes an assumption.
Negatives and questions
Negation stays inside the bracket: Ich werde morgen nicht arbeiten. Yes/no questions begin with finite werden; wh-questions place it after the question word: Wann wirst du anrufen? The infinitive remains final.
Two functions of werden
Inspect the second verb: wird bauen is future, wird gebaut passive. Präsens with morgen can also express future time. In meaning tasks, distinguish a planned future from an assumption about now.
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Werden + infinitive can express future time or a present assumption: Er wird jetzt zu Hause sein. Präsens with a time phrase is also valid for future events. Wird repariert is passive, whereas wird reparieren is future: distinguish infinitive from Partizip II. Wohl can clarify an assumption, but the whole context determines meaning.
Usage reference table
| Pattern or function | Target-language model |
|---|---|
| Use werden as the auxiliary verb | Ich werde morgen arbeiten. |
| Use werden as the auxiliary verb | Anna wird morgen kommen. |
| The main verb stays in the infinitive | Ich werde morgen Deutsch lernen. |
| Usage, exceptions and meaning | Wirst du morgen arbeiten? |
| The main verb stays in the infinitive | Ich werde Anna morgen anrufen. |
| Meaning in context | Er wird jetzt wohl zu Hause sein; ich vermute es. |
Grammar formula
Positive sentence
Subjekt + werden + ... + InfinitivIch werde morgen arbeiten.
Negative sentence
Subjekt + werden (konjugiert) + ... + nicht + InfinitivIch werde morgen nicht arbeiten.
Question
Werden + Subjekt + ... + Infinitiv?Wirst du morgen kommen?
Core rules
- 1
Use werden as the auxiliary verb
The verb werden changes according to the subject: ich werde, du wirst, er/sie/es wird, wir werden, ihr werdet, sie/Sie werden.
- 2
The main verb stays in the infinitive
After werden, the main verb remains in its basic form and moves to the end of the sentence: Ich werde lernen.
- 3
Use Futur I for predictions
Futur I is often used when the speaker predicts something about the future or makes an assumption.
- 4
Negatives and questions
Negation stays inside the bracket: Ich werde morgen nicht arbeiten. Yes/no questions begin with finite werden; wh-questions place it after the question word: Wann wirst du anrufen? The infinitive remains final.
- 5
Two functions of werden
Inspect the second verb: wird bauen is future, wird gebaut passive. Präsens with morgen can also express future time. In meaning tasks, distinguish a planned future from an assumption about now.
- 6
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Werden + infinitive can express future time or a present assumption: Er wird jetzt zu Hause sein. Präsens with a time phrase is also valid for future events. Wird repariert is passive, whereas wird reparieren is future: distinguish infinitive from Partizip II. Wohl can clarify an assumption, but the whole context determines meaning.
Useful examples
Ich werde morgen meine Großeltern besuchen.
I will visit my grandparents tomorrow.
Futur I shows a future action.
Wir werden nächstes Jahr nach Deutschland reisen.
We will travel to Germany next year.
The time expression makes the future meaning clear.
Sie wird später eine neue Wohnung kaufen.
She will buy a new apartment later.
Wird is the third person singular form of werden.
Ich denke, es wird morgen regnen.
I think it will rain tomorrow.
Futur I is commonly used for weather predictions.
Du wirst diese Prüfung bestimmt bestehen.
You will definitely pass this exam.
Bestimmt strengthens the prediction.
Er wird wahrscheinlich schon zu Hause sein.
He is probably already at home.
Futur I can express an assumption about the present.
Wir werden dir später helfen.
We will help you later.
Futur I can express a promise.
Wirst du am Wochenende arbeiten?
Will you work at the weekend?
In yes/no questions, werden comes first.
Ich werde das nicht vergessen.
I will not forget that.
Nicht makes the future action negative.
Die Menschen werden in Zukunft anders leben.
People will live differently in the future.
Futur I is useful for discussing future developments.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Ich wird morgen arbeiten. ✅ Ich werde morgen arbeiten.
- ❌ Anna werde morgen kommen. ✅ Anna wird morgen kommen.
- ❌ Ich werde morgen Deutsch gelernt. ✅ Ich werde morgen Deutsch lernen.
- ❌ Wird du morgen arbeiten? ✅ Wirst du morgen arbeiten?
- ❌ Ich werde Anna morgen rufen an. ✅ Ich werde Anna morgen anrufen.
- ❌ Er wird jetzt wohl zu Hause sein; ich vermute es. → a future plan, promise or event ✅ Er wird jetzt wohl zu Hause sein; ich vermute es. → a guess about the present
Learning tips
- Learn the forms of werden because they are the foundation of Futur I.
- Always remember that the second verb stays in the infinitive form.
- Use time expressions such as morgen, nächstes Jahr, and in Zukunft to clarify future meaning.
- For fixed plans, Präsens is often more natural in everyday German.
Use it in your own text
Write six new sentences about your life, experiences or views. Use the rules and table and check why each form fits. The models are illustrations; you need not force every form into one text. This is self-assessment; the test score is recorded separately.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Use werden as the auxiliary verb”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “The main verb stays in the infinitive”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Use Futur I for predictions”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Negatives and questions”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Two functions of werden”.
- Compare the form and meaning of two of your examples and explain the difference.
Show the model
Ich werde morgen meine Großeltern besuchen. Wir werden nächstes Jahr nach Deutschland reisen. Sie wird später eine neue Wohnung kaufen. Ich denke, es wird morgen regnen. Du wirst diese Prüfung bestimmt bestehen. Er wird wahrscheinlich schon zu Hause sein.
Check your own work
- My intended meaning fits the chosen construction.
- I checked subject, verb form, case/preposition and word order.
- I adapted the models to my own context and considered the exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What matters for “Use werden as the auxiliary verb”?
The verb werden changes according to the subject: ich werde, du wirst, er/sie/es wird, wir werden, ihr werdet, sie/Sie werden.
What matters for “The main verb stays in the infinitive”?
After werden, the main verb remains in its basic form and moves to the end of the sentence: Ich werde lernen.
What matters for “Use Futur I for predictions”?
Futur I is often used when the speaker predicts something about the future or makes an assumption.
What matters for “Negatives and questions”?
Negation stays inside the bracket: Ich werde morgen nicht arbeiten. Yes/no questions begin with finite werden; wh-questions place it after the question word: Wann wirst du anrufen? The infinitive remains final.
What matters for “Two functions of werden”?
Inspect the second verb: wird bauen is future, wird gebaut passive. Präsens with morgen can also express future time. In meaning tasks, distinguish a planned future from an assumption about now.
What matters for “Usage, exceptions and meaning”?
Werden + infinitive can express future time or a present assumption: Er wird jetzt zu Hause sein. Präsens with a time phrase is also valid for future events. Wird repariert is passive, whereas wird reparieren is future: distinguish infinitive from Partizip II. Wohl can clarify an assumption, but the whole context determines meaning.
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