61
Ich werde machen
The Futur: Talking About Tomorrow, Expressing Probability
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The German future tense, called the Futur (pronounced "foo-TUR"), is one of the most misunderstood grammar features by English speakers learning German. Why? Because Germans use it far less often than English speakers expect. The Futur is real, it is grammatically perfect, but it is not the primary way Germans talk about future events. This chapter will show you not just how to form the Futur, but when and why Germans actually use it—and more importantly, when they don't.
The Futur is formed with werden (to become) in the present tense + the infinitive of the main verb, positioned at the end of the clause.
Once you master the Futur, you will have seen all three major meanings of the word werden: becoming, future, and passive voice. These three uses appear throughout German conversation and writing, and understanding them is essential to reading and speaking with confidence.
The Basic Structure: Werden + Infinitive
The Futur tense consists of two parts: the present tense of the auxiliary verb werden + the infinitive of the main verb. The infinitive is always placed at the end of the clause. This is a critical rule: the infinitive NEVER moves, regardless of word order.
Ich werde das Buch lesen.
I will read the book.
Du wirst morgen kommen.
You will come tomorrow.
Er wird nächste Woche fahren.
He will drive next week.
Wir werden gemeinsam arbeiten.
We will work together.
Notice that the subject comes first (ich, du, er, wir), then the conjugated form of werden, then any objects or time words, and finally the infinitive at the very end. This pattern is absolutely consistent. The infinitive at the end is what signals to the listener that a Futur construction is being used.
Conjugation of Werden in Futur
The word werden changes depending on the subject (person and number). Here is the complete conjugation table. Pay close attention: these forms appear in conversation constantly, and you must recognize them instantly.
| Subject | Werden Form | Example Infinitive | Full Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| ich (I) | werde | machen (to make) | Ich werde es machen. (I will make it.) |
| du (you, informal) | wirst | machen | Du wirst es machen. (You will make it.) |
| er/sie/es (he/she/it) | wird | machen | Er wird es machen. (He will make it.) |
| wir (we) | werden | machen | Wir werden es machen. (We will make it.) |
| ihr (you all, informal) | werdet | machen | Ihr werdet es machen. (You all will make it.) |
| sie/Sie (they/you formal) | werden | machen | Sie werden es machen. (You will make it / They will make it.) |
Notice that wir and sie/Sie both use the form werden. You distinguish them by context. Also notice that the werden conjugations follow a pattern: werde, wirst, wird, werden, werdet, werden. This is the standard pattern for most German auxiliary verbs, so once you master it here, it will appear again and again in your learning.
The Etymological Heart of Werden
werden
[VER-den]
to become (primary meaning); to grow into; auxiliary for future and passive
PIE Root
*wert- (to turn, to become)
English
weird (originally meaning to turn, to change fate)
Modern "weird" means strange, but the root is about turning or transformation
German
Wort (word, from turning sounds into meaning)
Words "turn" sounds into meanings
Chinese
变 (biàn) - to change, to transform
Same concept: transformation and change
The word werden is ancient, from Proto-Indo-European *wert-, meaning to turn or transform. This root captures something fundamental: becoming is a turning, a transformation from one state into another. English has almost lost this word (except in "weird," which originally meant "turning fate"), but German has preserved it as one of the most important verbs in the language. When a German says "Ich werde Arzt" (I will become a doctor), the word werden still carries the sense of a transformation, a turning from one identity to another. The Futur tense uses this same verb: "Ich werde gehen" uses the becoming-verb to mark a transformation from present to future.
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The Critical Truth: Germans Rarely Use Futur in Conversation
Here is the insight that will revolutionize your understanding of German: the Futur tense exists, is grammatically correct, and is used—but Germans prefer to use the present tense with a time word to express the future. This is more common, more natural, and more authentic than the Futur.
Morgen gehe ich ins Kino.
"Tomorrow I go to the movies." (understood as future by context)
Ich werde morgen ins Kino gehen.
"I will go to the movies tomorrow." (using Futur)
Both sentences are grammatically correct. But the first is how Germans actually speak in everyday conversation. The present tense with a time indicator (morgen = tomorrow, nächste Woche = next week, in zwei Stunden = in two hours) is the preferred way to talk about the future. Why? Because German is a pragmatic language. If the future is already marked by a time word, the Futur auxiliary feels redundant.
Why This Matters
When you hear Germans talk about the future in casual conversation, you will almost always hear present tense + time word, NOT the Futur. If you only study the Futur and ignore this pattern, you will sound unnatural. But if you understand and use present + time word, you will sound like a native speaker.
Comparing Present + Time Word vs. Futur
| Time Reference | Present + Time Word (More Common) | Futur (More Formal) |
|---|---|---|
| Tomorrow | Morgen fahre ich zur Arbeit. | Ich werde morgen zur Arbeit fahren. |
| Next week | Nächste Woche kommt mein Bruder. | Mein Bruder wird nächste Woche kommen. |
| In an hour | In einer Stunde essen wir Mittag. | Wir werden in einer Stunde Mittag essen. |
| This evening | Heute Abend sehe ich einen Film. | Ich werde heute Abend einen Film sehen. |
In all these examples, the first version (present + time word) is more authentic to how Germans actually speak. The Futur version is correct but sounds more formal, emphatic, or like someone reading from a textbook.
When Germans DO Use Futur
The Futur is not absent from German. It is used in specific situations, and understanding these will help you recognize when Germans choose Futur over present + time word.
Situation 1: Formal or Solemn Statements
Ich werde mich bemühen, euch zu helfen. (I will make an effort to help you.) — This sounds more serious and emphatic than the present tense would.
Situation 2: Promises or Oaths
Ich werde dir immer treu sein. (I will always be true to you.) — The Futur emphasizes the commitment and seriousness of the promise.
Situation 3: Predictions Without a Specific Time
Es wird ein kalter Winter. (It will be a cold winter.) — Without a specific time word, the Futur is more natural than the present.
Situation 4: Written or Formal Communication
Der Kurs wird im September beginnen. (The course will begin in September.) — In official announcements or written German, the Futur is more common.
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The Three Faces of Werden
The verb werden is a shape-shifter in German. It has three completely different meanings, depending on what follows it. Learning to recognize all three is essential to mastering German grammar.
| Use | Meaning | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. BECOME (Main verb) |
to become; to grow into; to turn into | werden + nominative noun or adjective | Ich werde Arzt. (I become a doctor.) Das wird kalt. (That becomes cold.) |
| 2. FUTURE (Auxiliary) |
will; shall; marking future tense | werden + infinitive at end of clause | Ich werde gehen. (I will go.) Du wirst kommen. (You will come.) |
| 3. PASSIVE (Auxiliary) |
is/are being...; marks passive voice | werden + past participle | Das Buch wird gelesen. (The book is being read.) Das Auto wird repariert. (The car is being repaired.) |
Each of these three meanings is completely different, yet they all use the same word. This is not a coincidence. The underlying idea is transformation: becoming a different state, moving into the future, being transformed (passive voice). All three uses carry the sense of change or transition that is embedded in the root of werden.
How to Distinguish Them
Look at what follows werden:
- Noun or adjective = BECOME
- Infinitive verb = FUTURE
- Past participle (often -t or -en ending) = PASSIVE
The Three Werden Uses in Context
Become (Main verb meaning):
Er wird Lehrer.
He becomes a teacher. / He will become a teacher.
Das Wetter wird schlechter.
The weather is becoming worse. / The weather is getting worse.
Ich werde älter jeden Tag.
I become older every day. / I'm getting older every day.
Future (auxiliary with infinitive):
Wir werden spielen.
We will play.
Sie wird sehr überrascht sein.
She will be very surprised.
Du wirst das verstehen.
You will understand that.
Passive (auxiliary with past participle):
Das Haus wird gebaut.
The house is being built.
Die Tür wird geöffnet.
The door is being opened.
Es wird schnell fertig.
It's being completed quickly. (It becomes finished quickly.)
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Futur for Probability and Assumption
The Futur has a hidden use that surprises many learners: it is used to express probability or assumption about the PRESENT. When a German speaker uses Futur with an adverb like wohl (probably) or bestimmt (certainly), they are making an educated guess about what is true right now, not predicting the future.
Er wird wohl krank sein.
He's probably sick. (He must be sick.)
Das wird stimmen.
That's probably true. (That must be right.)
Sie wird es vermutlich wissen.
She probably knows it. (She must know it.)
Das wird bestimmt eine gute Idee sein.
That's certainly a good idea.
This use of Futur is very German. In English, you would say "He must be sick" or "He's probably sick" to express present probability. In German, the Futur tense serves this function. The adverbs wohl, bestimmt, vermutlich, vielleicht, and sicherlich often accompany this use. When you hear these combinations, you know the speaker is making an assumption about the present, not predicting the future.
Key Adverbs for Probability
wohl — probably, presumably (most common)
bestimmt — certainly, for sure
vermutlich — presumably, probably
vielleicht — perhaps, maybe
sicherlich — surely, certainly
bestimmt — certainly, for sure
vermutlich — presumably, probably
vielleicht — perhaps, maybe
sicherlich — surely, certainly
Comparing Futur for Future vs. Probability
| Context | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Real Future | Ich werde morgen nach Berlin fahren. | I will drive to Berlin tomorrow. (plan for the future) |
| Probability (Present) | Er wird wohl in Berlin sein. | He's probably in Berlin. (assumption about now) |
| Probability (Present) | Sie wird es schon wissen. | She probably already knows it. (assumption, with "schon" = already) |
| Real Future (Formal) | Die Konferenz wird im Juni stattfinden. | The conference will take place in June. (planned future event) |
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Key Vocabulary for Talking About the Future
| German Word | Pronunciation | Meaning / Usage |
|---|---|---|
| werden | VER-den | to become; auxiliary for Futur and passive |
| morgen | MOR-gen | tomorrow (or morning, context-dependent) |
| nächste Woche | NAYKstuh VOH-kuh | next week |
| bald | balt | soon; in the near future |
| irgendwann | IRG-end-vahn | sometime; at some point in the future |
| später | SHPAY-ter | later |
| Zukunft | TSOO-kunft | future (noun); the future in general |
| wahrscheinlich | VAR-shine-likh | probably; likely |
| bestimmt | buh-SHTIMMT | certainly; definitely |
| vermutlich | fer-MOOT-likh | presumably; probably |
| wohl | vole | probably; presumably (with Futur for probability) |
| in zwei Stunden | in TSVYUH SHTOON-den | in two hours |
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Summary: When to Use Futur vs. Present + Time Word
Use PRESENT + TIME WORD For:
Everyday conversation about the future — Morgen gehe ich einkaufen.
Planned events with a specific time — Nächste Woche kommt mein Freund.
Casual plans — In einer Stunde essen wir.
Authentic, natural German — This is how native speakers actually talk.
Planned events with a specific time — Nächste Woche kommt mein Freund.
Casual plans — In einer Stunde essen wir.
Authentic, natural German — This is how native speakers actually talk.
Use FUTUR (werden + Infinitive) For:
Formal or official statements — Die Versammlung wird stattfinden.
Solemn promises or oaths — Ich werde dir treu sein.
Emphasis or certainty — Es wird funktionieren!
Probability about the present — Er wird wohl schlafen.
Written communication — Official emails, announcements, formal letters.
Solemn promises or oaths — Ich werde dir treu sein.
Emphasis or certainty — Es wird funktionieren!
Probability about the present — Er wird wohl schlafen.
Written communication — Official emails, announcements, formal letters.
Remember: Present + time word is how Germans actually speak. If you want to sound natural, master this pattern first. The Futur is correct, but it is reserved for specific situations.
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Master Futur: 12-Question Quiz
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You have learned the Futur — and more importantly, you have learned that Germans prefer the present tense for future events. You understand the three faces of werden: becoming, future, and passive. You recognize when Germans use Futur for probability about the present.
→ Continue to Chapter 62: Das Verb am Ende (Word Order)